
Class 

Book_ 

CppigttS?. 



copnucHT DEPosm 



;HiRD EDITION. 



I Centennial Chronology 

^ OF THE 

f ounty of Luzerne, 




COMPILED AND EDITED BY 



W^fE. WHYTE, b.- i-^^fe 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 



One hundred yeai-s of freedonf, jjjfJ 1 IPftP. 

In Freedoms holy land, lo ''' // c^ 

Have blessed our p:lorious UnioV >>. / /^ ^ y rJ^'y 

And linked us hand-in-hand 1 V^^TO/r WASHlNGi'^'' 



PITTSTON. PA., 

D. n. HrNTINCrTON. PRINTER. 

l.S8(5. 






ENTERED 


Acr 


ORDING T( 


» ACT 


OF CONGRESS. IN 


THE 


YEAR 18S(5 


BY 










w. 


E. 


WH 


YTE 










IN THE 


OFFICE 


OF 


THE L 


IBRARIAN OF C 


ONGRESS. 


wash: 


[NGTON. 





INTRODUCTORY. 



"Who'll press for gold this crowded street, 

A hundred years to come ? 
Who'll tread yon church with willing leet, 

A hundred years to come ? 
Pale, trembling Age and fiery Youth, 
And Childhood with his brow of truth, 
The rich and poor, on land, on sea. 
Where will the mighty millions be, 

A hundred years to come?" 

One hundred years have passed away since a small portion 
of these United States were colonies governed by a foreign 
power, and the ce7iteniiial year of the independence of the 
great American Union is about to be celebrated in the grand- 
est and most imposing manner in the history of nations. 

The dawn of a second century in the history of American in- 
dependence is upon us, and still the American Union is intact, 
the American nation an established/^^:/. Powerful as the moth- 
er from which she sprung, she takes her place among nations, 
while the emblem of her nativity, the stars a7id stripes, is seen 
floating in the breeze on every sea and in every clime. 

And the result, what is it ? The result is truly wonderful ! It 
has proved that man is capable of self-government, that re- 
publics can be built up, and that civilization, enterprise, and 
industry, can be cultivated by them equally as well, if not better 
than under a different form of government. To prove which, 
we are exhibiting to the universe, at our great World's Fair (a 
city in itself), now being held in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, 
such works of art and industry as will not only astonish foreign 
visitors, but thousands upon thousands of our own citizens. 

Yes, the result of American independence has been "truly 
wonderful," for, cast your eyes over the map, and what do you 
see from the Alantic to the Pacific ? A continent dotted with 
numberless cities, towns, villages and hamlets, inhabited by a 
progressive and intelligent people, where, but a few years ago 



INTRODUCTORY 



comparatively speaking, the savage child of the forest, the 
Indian, roamed uncouthly clad in fantastic garments, and with 
his dusky face still more uncouthly daubed with the war paint 
of his tribe, armed with rude tomahawk, spear and bow, intent 
upon nothing save war, plunder, pleasure and idleness — and 
all this, yes, all this ! has been accomplished in a brief century, 
a period but -^.s, yestei^dav compared with the history of far less 
progressive nations. 

"Wonderful" indeed ! The remark is well applied; for has 
ViOX. thirteen vStates of 815,615 square miles, thinly populated 
with but 3,000,000 of civilized beings, suddenly grown into 
THIRTY-EIGHT vast and powerful States and nine Territories, the 
latter soon to become States also, and into 3,000,000 square 
miles of territory with a population, no doubt, of upwards of 
50,000,000 souls, which, coupled with a vast seaboard of 
thousands of miles, and about 65,000 miles of railroads, tar 
more than double the circumference of the globe, cannot fail to 
astonish the world with the vast progress the American nation 
has made in every respect during a century of time. 

But I am digressing, for this little volume is intended to 
treat oi our county and not of the United States, but it occurs 
to me that a few remarks touching the progressive career of 
our great RepubHc have not been out of place. 

The County of Luzerne is the largest of all the sixty-six 
counties of the Keystone State, indeed, it maybe termed a 
commonwealth in itself, being larger than the State of Rhode 
[sland. It covers an area of 1427 square miles, and has a pop- 
ulation of nearly, if not quite, 250,000 inhabitants. It is cele- 
brated for its vast coal fields, in the production of which it is 
the Banner county of ihe State, and in many other works of 
industry will compaie favorably with her sister counties. 

Wilkes-Barre, the county seat, an important city of 35,000 
inhabitants (more or less), is located on the east bank of the 
Susquehanna river, is distant from New York about 175 miles, 
and from Philadelphia about 150 miles, which points can be 



IXTRODUCTORY, 



reached daily by no less than three different hnes of railroad. 
In conclusion I would remark that as I purpose giving in 
this little volume, in chronological order, facts and i7icidents 
connected with the history of the county from its early settle- 
ment, then a part of the territory of Westmoreland and later 
of the County of Northumberland, up to the present time, a 
period (during its early years especially), so fraught with in- 
teresting and thrilling events, together with other matter con- 
nected with the centennial year. I will not trespass further on 
your patience, but subscribe myself, 
Most respectfully, 

W. E. WHYTE. 
Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne Co., Pa., ] 
July 4th, T876. ] 



A decade lias elapsed 
Since first this work commenced, 
And much that lias transpired since, 
Youll find herein condensed. 

After being earnestly solicited by friends to issue a tliird 
edition of this little book, I have complied, and as it would be 
almost impossible to compile a work like it without some 
errors and omissions, I ask the readers indulgence. The 
contents, however, have been carefully revised aud corrected, 
as also additional data added thereto, for w>>ich I am indebted 
principally to the files of The Sc?'anton Republican, and to 
/<"r.s-^;Z(7/ friends, who felt interested in the matter. 

During this decade the "old county of Luzerne" has again 
been lessened in territory and population to form the county 
of Lackawanna, with Scranton as the county seat, but the 
events which have occurred since the division embrace those 
of hotJi Counties. 

\V. E. W. 
West Pittston, Luzerne Co., V\. ] 
July 4th, 1886. 1" 



TRADES AND COMMEKCF.. 



Lewis Pughf, Pres't. 



John D. Gkeen, Treas. 



THE GREATEST SUCCESS. 



the "iapptj thought" lange, 

Nearly 90,000 Sold since 1876. 



faJO 




MANTFACTrKED BY 



PITTSTON, PA. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 



WYOMING, UNDER A RENEWED CHARTER FROM CHARLES II, 
TO THE CONNECTICUT COLONY IN 1662, AND TO WILLIAM 
PENN, BY THE SAME KING. IN 1681. 



;N 1682, William Penn, accompanied by English and 
" Welsh Quakers, arrived on the banks of the Delaware 
and founded Philadelphia. His humane and honest policy- 
soon made the Indians his staunch friends, so much so, 
that his followers did not suffer at their hands the reverses 
which others of the colonists did. 

The proprietary government having purchased of the Indians 
various tracts of land lying within the limits of the charter 
granted to William Penn, in January, 1769, took possession 
of the Susquehanna lands, claiming their absolute right 
thereto upon three essential points^ viz. : Charter^ purchase 
and possession, while the Connecticut Company based their 
claim on a charter anti-dating the Penn Charter. Hence the 
strife, entailing bloodshed and privations which ensued from 
time to time, each party battling for, and to retain possession 
of the beautiful valley, eventually to be settled by peaceable 
means. 

1742 — In this year Teedyuscung, King of the Delawares, 
and his tribe, left the banks of the Delaware to settle in 
Wyoming, and it was in the same year that Coimt Zi?izen- 
dorf,^ a Moravian missionary, also arrived on a visit to 
the Shawanese tribe, accompanied by another missionary, 
named Martin Mack, who spoke the Shawanese language, 
whereby friendly intercourse was obtained with the tribe. 

*It is believed that the Count was the first white man to visit the valle3'. 
He came from Bethlehem, (Lehigh county) where he was the chief elder of 
a Moravian Mission, then being established.— fi/st, Lacka. Vallley. 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



SEO. H. PARRISH, President. 



W. B. gULYER general Manager. 



THE PITTSTON 

ingine and lacliinG loiripanij, 

OF ^PITTSTOiT, 

MANUFACTURERS OF 

Steam Eiines. hwi linii Iclw 

AND ALL KINDS OF CASTINGS. 



0^ 



9 ^ m^ 



^ 



Am 



W 



A FIRST CLASS ESTABLISHMENT WHERE EVERYTHING IN THE 



MiiBASLlinEFTfflSiE 

SUITABLE FOR 

f ravellers, lalesmGii i lomniGrGial igents. 



23 WEST MARKET STREET. WILKES-BARRE, PI. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 



1742 — Teedyusciing became A7;?o-ofthe Delawares soxn^ytdir?, 
after their arrival in Wyoming, probably in 1755. He suc- 
ceeded their great Sachem Tadame, who was murdered, 
it is said, for being friendly to the white people. In April, 
1763, Teedyuscung's house was set on fire, and he perished 
in the flames. This despicable act, for revenge, was per- 
petrated by one or more warriors of the Six Nations, while 
the King was asleep under the influence of strong drink. 
The Delawares, Shawanese, Mohicans, Monseys, Nanti- 
cokes, Wanamies, and probably portions of other tribes, 
inhabited the Wyoming and Lackawanna valleys, and 
other places within the present territory of the county of 
Luzerne as abject subjects of the Six or United Nations^ 
and, in the language oi Hollister, "they paid iribute to the 
Tartars of the Western World at Onandago." 

1750 — 1755. — During these years the valley was frequently 
visited by white people from Connecticut and other parts, 
to explore territory, and establish friendly intercourse with 
the Indians.* 

1758 — The first dwelling houses in the valley were erected by 
white men, under the authority of the Proprietary Govern- 
ment, for the accommodation of Teedyuscung, and his 
tribe — those houses were located near Wilkes-Barre. 

1762 — The Rev. David Zeisberger, for a consideration of ^10, 
(fifty dollars,) was the, bearer of a letter from Sir William 
Johnson, Superintendent of Indian afl"airs, then at Fort 
Stanwix, New York, to Teedyuscung. Solitary and alone 
he wended his way along the Indian paths, fording river 
and creek, with the forest and occasionally the friendly 
wigwam his only shelter at night, a feat, in those days, 
needing undaunted courage and physical endurance. 

During this year the first white settlers from the Colony 
of Connecticut arrived in the valley, built themselves log 



*In1752 there was not a white man's cabin in the Wyoraing Forest — 
Hist. Lacka. Valley. 



lO 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



W. L. McDOUGALL, 



60RMER HAIN AND WATER STREETS, PITTSTON, PA. 




CLOCKS AND FINE REGULATORS. 



©Kff (SjooiU are ©Y^arraatesl aii> S^cpre<5>erite6l. 

They are bought from the best and most reliable houses. 



_^REPA1RINS DONE BY THE BEST WORKMEN.:^_ 



W. L. McDOUGALL 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 



1762 — houses and planted grain near the mouth of Mill Creek. 
In the autumn of this year they returned to Connecticut. 

They returned in the spring of the following year, and 
built other buildings near the present site of Wilkes- 
Barre, but, on the 15th of October they were attacked 
by Indians, who drove them away and cruelly murdered 
many of their number For six years after this sanguinary 
event, no more of the New England colonists arrived in 
the valley. 

1767 —The yfrj-/ church bell rang in a Moravian church at 
Wyalusing. 

1769 — Quite a number of Connecticut Yankees arrived, and 
finding the Pennamites (so called from being adherents to 
Governor Penn) in possession of the houses and lands 
formerly held by their predecessors, they, forty in number, 
erected a block-house on the Kingston side of the river, 
which subsequently was enlarged and named Forty Fort. 
During this year much strife occurred between the con- 
tending parties, which, however, ended in the Pennamites 
retaining peaceable possession for a term of four months. 
Wyoming was divided into two vast manors, laid out by 
surveyors, employed by the Proprietary Government, viz : 
"Manor of Stoke' embraced the land east of the Sus- 
quehanna, and the Manor of Sunbury the west side of it. 
The first dwelling built in Wilkes-Barre within the 
limits of the town plot, was a log cabin, by John Abbott. 

Anthracite coal, then known as '' black stones,'' of little 
or no value, was, after repeated trials, successfully used by 
Obadiah Gore,^' a Connecticut Yankee, in his smith -shop. 

1770 — About this period Pittstown (Pittston) was named after 
the great English statesman, William Pitt, America's true 
-SiVidi faithful friend . 

*He is belifive;! to have been the first white man to give pf-actical recogni- 
tion and development To Anthracite as a generator of heat— In the few black- 
smith shops in Wyoming Valley and the We?t Branch sei^tlements, coal was 
gruliially introduced after its manipulation by Mr. Gore.— H/sf. Lacka. 
Valley. 



12 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 

W. W. BERRY, 

ukhmaken i 'Memek-'F', 




DEALER IN 

WATCHES, CLOCKS. JEWELERY, 
Silver and Plated Ware. 

Nortli Main St., Pittston, Pa. 

Repairing of "Watches, Clocks, and Jewelry a Specialty. 





0MrM ^'&ff!^d^ 



E. M. SINCLAIR, Proprietor. 

Sample Room for Commercial Men. 

(^oraev Main aT^ti S^utfer ^tteet^, 
PITTSTON, PA. 

$2.00 Per Day 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 1 3 

1770— The first house built in Pittston, a log building, was 
erected by Zebulon Marcy. 

A CaDt. Lazarus Stewart in February of this year, at the 
head of fifty men, and in the interest of the Yankees, com- 
pelled the Pennamites to surrender their possessions. This 
blow inaugurated the " Pennamite War," during which 
time there was no law, discipline or government. 

It was in this year the township of Wilkes-Barre was sur- 
veyed, and the union of the surnames of two popular 
English gentlemen— JVi/^es and Barren gave the new 
township the name of Wilkes-Barre. 
1772— The plot for the village of Wilkes-Barre was laid out 
near where Northampton Street joins River Street now. 
This was a very prosperous year in the settlement, peace 
and good will reigned supreme, and the population 
increased rapidly,! 

The first grist mill in the valley was eretced on Mill 
Creek by Nathan Chapman, at which time there were only 
five white women in Wilkes-Barre. 

A road was made, at the expense of property holders, 
from Pittston to the Delaware river, a distance of about 
forty miles. 
,772— Matthias Hollenback commenced store keeping in 
Wilkes-Barre. 

The first marriage in Wilkes-Barre (white) occurred this 

year in the Denison family, and the first birth followed it. 

A Code of laws was adopted at Hartford, Connecticut, 

for the government of the settlement, and, although the dis- 



* Distinguished advocates of the rights of the colonists.— ^niia^s of 
Luzerne. 

tSays Pearce in his Annals of Luzerne: "During that year the people 
were so busily engaged in premtrinq to live that tliere was no time to think 
of a regular government When difficulties arose in respect to land rights 
the disputes were decided by town committees. Those were halcyon days, 
for there was order without law, end peace without the constable— that 
was the golden age of Wyoming. Ferries and mills were provided and 
provisions were made for the permanent support of schools, etc. 



14 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 

IrcliilTailoriDpEreBls'FttmliteGooJs 

The place to buy if you want clothes made to order, is 

BEVAN'S. 



Our chief aim is to please our patrons. In order to 
do this we keep one of tne largest and finest stock in 
the valley, consisting of the best and most desirable 
piece goods, in domestic and foreign Cassimeres, plaids 
and checks. Also a \ ery choice selection of Plain and 
Fancy Worsteds. Our line of Pantaloon ings knows 
no equal. 



This Department, although distinct in itself, is one 
that we watch very carefully, and we cater to the 
wants of the people, we buy with a view to suit the 
most fastidious. Our Neck Wear, Hosiery, Collars 
and Cuffs, Shirts, etc., are bought from first hands, 
(no bankrupt stock) our line of Hats are always of the 
latest styles of Yeoman & Dunlap block. 

1. & 



Collars and Cuffs a Specialty. 






CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. I 5 

puted title had not been settled, the Yankees seemed to be 
in the ascendency. 
1775 — The valley was again invaded early in December of this 
year, by the Northumberland Militia, 700 strong, com- 
manded by Colonel Plunkett. He was, however, inter- 
cepted by Capts. Butler and Stewart, with about 300 
men and boys, and compelled to beat a hasty retreat, 
leaving his dead and some of the wounded on the field 
of battle near Nanticoke Falls. This was the last attempt 
on the part of the Pennamites, by force of arms.* to gain 
possession of the lands in dispute. 

During the intervening years and 1775, places of busi- 
ness were established in Wilkes-Barre, marriages were 
celebrated, and thus matters progressed until the Northum- 
berland militia, in the interest of the Peiwamites, invaded 
the valley. Such is a brief history of the events which 
occurred in the county, prior to " the year that tried 
meii s souls.'' 

♦The early settlement of Wyoming, included settlers along the Lacka- 
wanna and places otherwise remote from the Valley ot Wyoming, and 
came under the disputed jurisdiction of Connecticut. 



1 6 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



V/m. Allen 



DEALER ]N 



ardware,lariii and fiarderi fools, 



Silver and Plated Waf^e in Variety. 



NORTH MAIN STREET, PITTSTON, PEMN. 



HAGADORN & EVANS 



WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALERS IN 






MUSIC HALL BLOCK, WATER STREET. PITTSTOX, PA. 



£kmmi^T^m w^i^ 



JAMES &. POWERS k SO., 



lllolGSale llOGGFS, 

101 Murray Street, N. Y. City. i 110 Commercial St., Gloucester, Mass, 



STANWOOD & go. 



Curas, Smokers and Packers of 
Salt Water Fish. 



1776. 



"that these united colonies are, and of right ought 
TO BE FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES." 



& 



'^:^S one hundred and twenty-five years have passed away 
since civilization first trod the banks of the Susque- 
hanna* river, and, as there are ;?<?«<? living who can 
say I recollect old Wyoming! when in its primitive state, 
those hving can have but a faint idea of its rapid rise and pro- 
gress in itsjnarch towards civilization since the advent of the 
first white settlers upwards of a hundred years ago. 

But the most eventful period in the history of the Terri- 
tory now known as the County of Luzerne, we might say, 
commenced just a century ago, when it was a part of the 
Territory of Westmoreland, and when there were not 
very many white inhabitants residing within its limits. 

William Penn having purchased some time previous of 
the Indians, the Susquehanna river and its islands, pur- 
chased again this year of them " the river and the land on 
both sides, extending eastward as far as the heads of the 
branches or springs which emptied into it, and west of said 
river as far as the setting sun, and from its mouth as far as 
the endless hills, be the same more or less," — this deed 

♦Indian, Seahautowano ) Iroquois 

tindian. Maughwauwame (dialect. 

Note.— Hollister in his History of Lackawanna Valley says that Sea- 
/iaw^o'/;auo applies to Wyomick, Wyomock, W yomink a.n6.\a.&i\Y Wyoming. 
He also speaks of Lackawanna as Leck-a-tce-ke, Lee-haugh-hunt, Lam-'a- 
wan-ack, etc. Indian names made use of by Moravian Missionaries and 
others in the early history of the valley. The orthography of many other 
names of places is also very peculiar. 



l8 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



J. W. NIMMO, 





ami 

AND CLOTHIER. 



HATS, CAPS, GLOVES, &C. 



ladies' lacks 1 lloaks a ipecialiij 



We Defy Competition in Quality of Goods, 
Workmanship and Prices. 



Tliankfnl for past favors, I hope to merit ii eoutinuaiiL-e of tlie same. 



North M.ain Street, Pittston, jPa, 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. I9 



1776— was signed by twenty-tJu^ee Chiefs of the Six Nations^- 
then occupants of the Valley of Wyoming. 

The Chiefs of the Six Nations having pledged their sup- 
port to Great Britain in the war, as against the ColonistS; 
the people found it necessary to build numerous forts so 
as to protect themselves against the combined attacks of 
the savage Indian and relentless Tory, yet, notwithstanding 
the serious besetting dangers at home, a large number of 
brave men, whose hearts beat in unision with the cause, 
left the settlements and heroically marched to headquarters 
to battle {ox freedom, under him, who is now known as 
the Father of his Coimtry, the i/?nnorfalV\fASlilKGTO^. 

On the 26th of September, of this year, Pennsylvania 
became a sovereign State, and the Tt-rritory of Westmore- 
land became a county, and one Jonathan Fitch, was com- 
missioned as Sheriff. County officers were appointed, 
taxes levied, schools opened and supported, and other 
things done and performed necessary to conducting the 
affairs of the new county. f 

The Proprietary Government sent two Durham boats to 
be loaded with coal at Mill Creek, a few miles below the 
mouth of the Lackawanna, to be floated down the Sus- 
quehanna to Harris' Fer ry ( Harrisburg). thence drawn 

*The Six Nations comprised the Mohawks, Senecas, 6uondagos~0nedias, 
Cayugas, and the Tuscaroras ; says HoUister, " a most powerful confedera- 
tion, formidable in number, democratic in its organization and terrible in the 
exercise of its power. That few settlements made along the frontier 
acquii-ed either growth or age, without harm or apprehension. Its power 
was absolute and unquestionable, its government a limited monarchy vested 
in a Great Sachem or Chief, directed by a Council of Braves and aged war- 
riors, noted for wisdom and bravery. Its ever-burning Council fire blazed 
from the plains of Oh-no-qu-go, while the edicts and wishes of the assembled 
Sachems carried to Manhattans shores by runners, were known and respected 
even in the far-off region of the magnoha and palmetto. With a dialect 
whose strange intonations bewildered the ear of the white man, and Avhose 
tongue, destitute of labials, were so diverse and corrupted from the parent 
language that many of the tribes living on the same stream could only con- 
verse through an interpreter ; with neither books nor charts ; with no history 
but the wigwam's lore, no guide but the moon's gray twilight, no valley was 
sunk too far away in the mountains, no stream stretched its tranquil length 
through grounds too remote from the war-patli to escape the notice of men 
clad in skins, who occupied and gave them a name.''' 

1 Westmoreland embraced all the settlements on the Susquehanna from 
Athens to Wyommg, and from Wallenpaupack to the mouth of the Lacka- 
wanna. With a population of about 2,300, thinly scattered. 



20 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



CAMPBELL'S 






PITTSTON, PI., NEXT DOOR TO PEOPLE'S BMK. 




itock's lew, itock's large, f rices low. 

GOODS AS REPRESENTED. 



g^^EXAMINATlON SOLICITED.^^^) 



C. K. CAMPBELL. 



HITCHNER & CO., 

__^W HOLES ALEDi^_ 

Bimhei, cSUmii and &ake 

MANUFACTURERS. 
PITTSTON, - - PENN'A. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 



1776— upon wagons to Carlisle and employed in furnaces and 
forges to supply the defenders of our country with arms. 

1777— The assessments of estates for the county of Westmore- 
land amounted to upwards of ^20,000, independent of 
State, which was about ^2,000 additional. 

Excepting the highway of the Susquehanna river, which 
was no doubt made use of in many instances, especially 
from certain points, Indian paths were the only thorough- 
fares whereby the settlers from the East or West could 
reach Westmoreland, until late in the eighteenth century, 
when a rough road was constructed from the Hudson River 
to the Valley, which was the most direct route from the 
colony of Connecticut, and the Yankees usually frequented 
this rudely constructed road in their journeys to and from 
the Wyoming Valley, 

In the Valley of Wyoming, and elsewhere in the county, 
old fortifications, and various relics have been unearthed, 
which give unmistakable evidence that the county was at 
one time inhabited by a different class of people other than 
the American Indian of '76, a race superior in intelligence 
and habits, craftsmen of no ordinary ability, manufac- 
turers of articles, rich in design, beautiful in workmanship 
and finish, workers in highly polished stone, of which, 
articles have been found buried, it is supposed, with the 
remains of some renowned warrior or some person other- 
wise famous, perhaps for good deeds on earth, "peace and 
good will towards men." There have also been found 
relics of a later period, those in use by the Indian, as 
known to our forefathers. They include rude stone vessels 
and mortars, flint arrows, pestles, stone tomahawks and 
knives, together with other articles too numerous to men- 
tion, of which there are some very beautiful and interest- 
ing collections. In the Historical Museum, at Wilkes- 
Barre, is exhibited a very fine collection, but the most 
extensive collection, as I believe, are in the hands of two 



22 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



"From the Cradle to the Grave.' 





Manufacturer and Dealer in 



Cabinet Furniture 

OF ALL KINDS 



{|nt(i|ittal(tu0ti|allib^rant(| 

A large assortment of 

Coffins and Caskets 

ALWAYS ON HAND. 



e 



it 



144 SOUTH MAIN ST., PITTSTON. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 23 

'^m — celebrated antiquarians, the Hon. Steuben Jenkins, of 
Wyoming, and Dr. HoUister,* of Providence. The former 
is now, and has been for many years engaged in writing 
a book on the history of the Valley and neighborhood, and 
the latter is an author of considerable repute, his interest- 
ing work, '"The History of The Lackawanna Valley," 
having passed through three editions. It is, however, 
anticipated that Mr. Jenkins' book will be as complete and 
interesting as the many brought into public notice. Which 
include Chapman's, Stone's, Miner's, Peck's, Pearce's and 
Hollister's, all of which, deserve much praise for the very 
able manner and graphic style in which they are written — 
From the pages of Pearce s and Hollisters, is gathered 
much of the information chronicled herein. 

The Valley, nay, the county generally, in its early his- 
tory abounded with rich and delicious fruit, even to the 
apple and plum, which were no doubt cultivated by the 
Indian, while the wild cherry, the berry and nut of various 
kinds were legion in their growth. 

And as the forest abounded with game of various kind, 
so did the rivers and lakes abound with the finny tribe, 
hence it is no matter of surprise why the savage was so 
loath to be separated from a country so bountifully supplied 
by the Creator, and in excess of his natural wants, but, alas, 
does he not deserve to a very great extent, nothwithstand- 
ing the bloodthirsty deeds he has so often, committed, our 
greatest sympathy ? Yes, for even now, in his far-distant 
home, he has to retire, as of yore, before the march of 
civilization, as the "star of Empire Westward takes its 
way." 

A post-route was established semi-monthly to Hartford 
Connecticut. 
1778— The first forge in the Valley to manufacture bar iron 
was erected on Nanticoke Creek. 



*Dr Hollister, has, it is affirmed, the largest and most complete collection. 



24 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



ANDREW H. LAW. ESTABLISHED 1857. JAS. L. McMILLAN. 



LAW & McMillan, 



GENERAL DEALERS IN 



Provisions^ Flo7ir, Feed, Boots, Shoes, Etc. 
South Main Street, Pittston, Penn'a. 

DAVIES & WILLIAMS, 

DEALERS IN 

Iroceries, Irovisions, Hour, feed, aqd leal, 

FISH, PRODUCE, Etc. 

TEA AND COFFEE A SPECIALTY. 



©fGa<t>e €vi^e u<S) a CiaFf, 



No. 125 SODTfi MAIN AYENUE. HYDE PARK, XSRANTON, PA. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 25 

1778 — On the 30th of June, this year, eight settlers, residing 
at Fort Jenkins,* went up the river to work on their lands, 
taking with them, in addition to their farming implements, 
their trusty rifles. Towards evening they were surprised 
by a large party of Indians, when a desperate fight took 
place, the Indians, outnumbering them, killed four of their 
number, and took three of them prisoners, who, they after- 
wards cruelly murdered, one only, a boy, escaped by 
jumping into the river, and concealing himself under the 
willows growing under the river bank, remained there 
until an opportunity offered for him to return to the fort.f 
Following the sad affair of the " 30i;h of June," on the 
ever memorable 3rd of July, was fought the Battle of 
Wyo7nif:g, followed by Massacre; in which a combined 
force of British, Tories and Indians, J committed the most 
infamous deeds on record — outnumbering the settlers three 
to one^ alone gave them the victory, the slaughter was 
great, but the settlers fought with that courage only known 
to those fighting in defense of their sacred homes and 
liberty,'^ and, it was not until the following 22nd of 

*Fort Jenkins stood on the West Side of the Susquehanna river, near the 
upper corner of Bridge street and Susquehanna Avenue, and Fort Pittston, 
on the east side, near where is now located Patterson's lumber yard, on 
North Main Street. No less than eight forts wei-e erected from CampbelFs 
Ledge to Hanover, they were constructed principally of logs. Fort Winter- 
moot, was, however, built by a Torij of that name, creating in the minds of 
the Pratriots no little suspicion, as was afterwards proven, for on the night 
before the battle of Wyoming, fought on " Abraham's Plains.'''' The British 
force under the command of Col. John Butler, and the Indians under the 
half-breed Indian, named Brant. (Gi-en-gwah-toh), a noted chief of the Six 
Nations, and the blood thirst y, Queen Esther, assembled in and around Fort 
Wintermoot, where the battle commenced ; No doubt, at the suggestion of 
the Tory, Wintermoot. 

tThis is known as the Harding Massacre. 

^England had in her service during the revolutionary war, over 12,000 
blood thirsty Indian warriors. 

gNotwithstanding the terms of capitulation stipulated that the settlers were 
to remain unmolested, the savages set fire to the village of Wilkes-Barre, 
destroying and plundering as they went along, capturing women and chil- 
dren and taking them into captivity. Indeed, not a white person was left 
living in the Lackawanna Valley, after the Massacre. Queen Esther, in 
revenge for the loss of her son at the Harding Massacre, with a tomahawk 
or club, in her own hands, dashed out the brains of about sixteen prisoners, 
while they stood in a cii'cle, around a rock, firmly held by stalwart Indians 
of her tribe, the rock is known to this day as " Queen Esther's Bloody Rock," 
and is located within a short distance of the Wyoming Monument. 



26 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 






^^ 



MANUFACTURER OF 



.s^ 







IRON CRESTINGS, Etc. 



Mimates : furnished : on I ipplication. 



114 SOUTH MAIN AVENUE, 



SCRANTON, 



Penn'a 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 2/ 

1778 — October, that the settlers were able to assemble on the 
bloody and fatal field, to bury their much lamented dead. 

About this period, the first Methodist exhorter in the 
valley, was a blacksmith, named Anning Owen, who, 
worked, fought, taught, preached and prayed; he was 
thoroughly an earnest man, and when ''fired up,'' preached 
hell, fire and brimstone with vehemence, if not eloquence, 
more worthy a different idea, \{ 7tot ^.h^W^i oi 7i future life — 
he eventually was received into the Conferejtce and became 
a travelling preacher. 
1779 — The Indians resumed their visits to the Valley and com- 
mitted many depredations, when occasionally they met 
the chastisement they so richly deserved, at the hands of 
the much injured and peaceable settlers. 

Court held in Fort Wilkes-Barre, where subsequently 
was erected the old log Court House, on the Public Square. 

The first Masonic Lodge at Wilkes-Barre was held in a 
military marquee on the river bank. Subsequently the 
A. Y. M., met February 27th, 1794, in the "Old Fell House." 

In consequence of the continued depredations committed 
on the settlers by the Indians and Tories, and to chastise 
them for the part they took in the battle of Wyoming, 
General Washington dispatched General Sullivan, at the 
head of 3,000 men, to the rescue. He arrived on the 23d 
of June, below Wilkes-Barre, where he encamped, and on 
the 3d of July he marched up the Susquehanna river, 
accompanied by 300 boats laden with provisions, burning 
and destroying all the Indian villages, the orchards and 
crops, belonging to the Six Nations. Queen Esther's 
property was entirely destroyed. 

On the 8th of October, the army returned to Wyoming, 

and in two days resumed their march and encamped at 

Easton. 

1780 — Notwithstanding that Col. Zeb. Butler was in command 

of Fort Wilkes-Barre, who, together with some military 



28 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 

T J. KELLEY & CO., 

Wholesale Grocers 

AND 

Commission Merchants 

14 Lackawanna Avenue 

W. M. MILLER 



DEALER IN 



Choice Imported Key West Segae^. 

Choice Wines, Liquors, Ales, Beers 

_=^iND TABLE WATERg.l^ 

Garden and Grass Seed in Bulk, Always Fresh 

SEND FOR SEED CATALOGUE. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 29 

1780 — companies, after Sullivan's army left, guarded the county 
from attack, the savages in small parties continued to 
harass the settlers, killing and capturing many. 
1781 — The Indians continued their depredations, killing, scalp- 
ing, stealing and laying waste all that came within their 
reach. 

November Court, " a town tax was levied of two-pence 
in the £ to be paid in hard cash or in specific articles."* 
1782 — Eight Indians in ambush in Hanover township, on the 
8th of July, killed John Jameson, and scalped him, and 
wounded Asa Chapman, who escaped to Wilkes-Barre, 
where he died next day. 

Says Pearce : "On that day the last blood was shed, 
and the last scalp taken by the Indians, within the present 
limits of Luzerne County." That this was brought about 
by the treaty of peace with England, in whose interest the 
savage had enhsted to massacre the settlers, there can be 
no doubt, a sad and shameful blot in that portion of the 
history of Great Britain during the colonial war. 

The intervening years between '75 and this year, were 
really the years that " tried men's souls," during which 
time the whole Valley was devastated by fire and sword, 
homes were made desolate, buildings wantonly destroyed, 
the maimed and the sick, the widow and the orphan, the 
old and the young reduced to beggary and want, and to 
nothing save the indomitable will, the unflinching courage, 
and physical endurance of a few settlers, " chiefly the old 
and the very young, spared from the distant ranks of the 
Continental army," can be attributed the victories gained 
over their enemies. 

Pearce further says : " The inhabitants of Wyoming 
suffered the horrors of war from 1768 until 1776 in rather 
its milder form, but during the Revolution no people ever 
met with greater disasters. Upwards of two hundred and 

*There were no lawyers in the county, both plaintiffs and defendants, by 
resolution of Coxu-t, done their own pleading. 



30 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



Established 1866. 



Ross & Co., 

Curers d Joliks o! Frovisions. 



Choice Mild Cured Hams, Shoulders and 
Breakfast Bacon a Specialty. 



Packed in Tierces, Tubs, lOft), 51b and 3ft) Tins. 



UNEXCELLED BOLOGNA 

By Semi-Weekly Refrigerator Cars. 



WATER AND ORON STREETS, PITTSTON. PENN. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 3I 

1782 — thirty men, women and children were murdered and 
scalped by Indians. About fifty others were carried away 
into captivity, and eight or ten more were burned alive. 
They suffered from hunger, and cold, and disease, and 
imprisonment, and bondage, and floods, and fire, and yet, 
true to their purpose, they never thought for a moment of 
abandoning their charming valley." 

It was during this year that Commissioners appointed 
by Congress, settled that much vexed question as to the 
right of title to the lands so frequently contested between 
the Pennamites and Yankees, by decreeing in favor of the 
former, a decision the State of Connecticut submitted to 
very graciously, and thus ended a controversy which, 
lamentable as it was, can only be attributed to the double 
policy of the British King. 

One Mary Pritchard was convicted and ordered to pay 
a fine of five shillings into the town treasury, for going 
away from her residence unnecessarily on the Sabbath 
day, and at the same term a person found guilty of steal- 
ing, was sentenced to receive ten stripes, to be well 
administered on the bare back, and another was sentenced 
to serve for two years the person from whom he stole a 
deerskin. 

1783 — Road wagons and other vehicles introduced to ride in. 
A very high flood, after a most severe winter, occurred 
in the Susquehanna river, inundating the whole valley, 
causing the inhabitants to flee to the mountains. This 
freshet entailed a severe loss of property, even to home- 
steads. 

1784 — A terrible snow-fall barricaded the inhabitants in their 
dwellings, followed by a heavy ice flood. 



Note.— Wyoming Valley in the Indian tongue signifying large plains, is 
twenty-one miles in length and will average three miles in width. It contains 
40,000 acres of arable and wood land. The Susquehanna river traverses its 
center, and mountains tower above it on either side to a height of from 500 
to 2,000 feet. 



32 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 




^^^ J^W._ BURGESS, ^p^ 



130 Franklin Avenue, 



SCRANTON. PENN'A. 



BRENi'ON & Mccormick 



l# 






1M9 



AND 



Building Contractors 



PITTSTON, 



PENN'A, 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 33 



1786 — The great " Pumpkin Flood"* inundated the entire 
Valley and did much damage. 

On the 25th of September, Luzerne county, then a part 
and parcel of the County of Northumberland, was formed, 
and so named in honor of the Chevalier De La Liicertie, 
minister from France to this country, during five years of 
our Revolutionary struggle. f 

1787 — May 27th, Justices of the Court of Common Pleas com- 
missioned and sworn in. 

1788 — Among the various mineral deposits in the county of 
Luzerne, tradition gives an account of gold. It is said 
to have been worked in considerable quantities by the 
Indians in a mountain overlooking Wilkes-Barre. Bald 
Mountain is supposed to be the spot. None of the bright 
and precious metal, however, has yet been found by the 
settlers to verify the traditionary account. Silver mines 
are also spoken of as located in Wyoming. 

Several salt springs are known to have existed in the 
Lackawanna valley, of which the Indians made good use, 
the richest of which, wr//6'j' HoUister, v^tk.^ located on the 
Nay Aug, and another in the upper part of Leggett's Gap, 
near Providence, from which the early white settlers of the 
Lackawanna and Wyoming valleys granulated salt for 
domestic use. 

A public highway across Luzerne was surveyed by 
authority of the Legislature. 



*So called because of the immense quantity ot pumpkins which floated down 
the river. 

f'The origjinal territory of Luzerne embraced 5,000 square miles, exceeding 
in extent the State of Connecticut.'" 

" To perfect the boundary lines of Luzerne, in 1804, a portion of the north- 
western corner was annexed to Lycoming county, and in 1808 there was 
added to it a part of Northumberland, lying west and southwest of the Nes- 
copeck creek. 

Note. —Susquehanna is an Indian name, signifying broad shallow water. It 
is the largest stream in Pennsylvania, being 450 miles in length. It is chiefly 
formed by the North and West Branches, which unite at Northumberland, 
The former rises in Otsego Lake and the highlands of Otsego county, in the, 
State of New York. It receives the Chenango at Binghamton, and the Che- 
mung below Athens, and entersLuzerne from Wyoming county, on the north, 
between Exeter and Newton townships."— ^nnais of Luzerne. 



34 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



EDWARD &. MERStJR. JOHN T. PHILLIPS. 



V Wholesale and Retail Dealers in ^ 

lumber I of I IvGrij I iescription. 

DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, &c. 



Office and Yard Rear of D. L & W. R. R. Station, 
WEST PITTSTON, PA. 



MILLS AT BEAR CREEK AND MOOSIC. 



P. 0. and Telegraph Address, Pittston, Penn'a. 



TELEPHONE CONNECTION. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 35 

1788 — Two persons were killed by Indians, at Indian Spring, 
near Cobb's Gap, when fleeing from the valley of Wyom- 
ing, and while in the act of stooping down to drink 

In March of this year, five commissioners appointed at 
the expense of the State, surveyed and laid out r ads 
from the Delaware river, near Stroudsburg, to Montrose, 
then within the limits of Luzerne county. Years, however, 
elapsed ere it was made. 

Phillip Abbott, from Connecticut, was the first settler in 
" Deep Hollow," afterwards called " Slocum Hollow," 
"Harrison," " Scrantonia," and lastly Scranton. He 
built a rude grist-mill upon Roaring Brook. 
1790 — The county being divided into townships,* districts were 
formed for the election of Justices. At this period the 
county contained eleven slaves and thirteen free colored 
persons. Population 4,904. 

The first saw-mill built in Providence township, was 
located on Meadow Brook, near Scranton. 
1 79 1 — The first President Judge for the county of Luzerne was 
Jacob Rush, and Matthias HoUenback was the first 
Associate. 

During this year a court house and jail combined, was 
erected in the Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. on the site of 
the Old Fort. It was constructed of hewn logs, 25x50, two 
stories high, the first was used as a jail and jailor's residence, 
and the jailor's good wife sold cakes and beer in the build- 
ing, and it also served occasionally as a place of worship 
for some of the religious sects. 

Prior to this datef there was no discovery of coal made 
outside the limits of the Wyoming region, when it was 

*The Pioneer townships, were Wilkes-Barre, Pittston, Exeter, Kingston, 
Plymouth and Salem, which, with Nescopeck and Pi'ovidenee, formed in 
1792, and Huntington in 1793, were the townships of the eighteenth century in 
old Lnzerne. 

tDuring Gen. Sullivan''s march through Wyoming in 1779, one of his officers 
wrote of the Valley : " The land here is excellent, and comprehends vast 
mines of coal, pewter, lead and copperas." The last three named have never 
been found here. "The first few ark-loads of coal, carried from Mauch Chunk 



36 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



ADVISE YOUR FRIENDS TO VISIT 

JONAS LONG'S 

LARGEST AND LEADING ESTABLISHMENT IN 
NORTH-EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 

DRY GOODS, DRESS GOODS, SILKS, 

FINE MILLINERY, CLOAKS. SHAWLS, 

WHITE GOODS, CORSETS, GLOVES. 

HOSIERY, LACE CURTAINS, 

UPHOLSTERY GOODS, &c. 

WE SHALL BE PLEASED TO SEE YOU WHEN NEXT VISITING OUR 
CITY. MAIL ORDERS WILL RECEIVE PROMPT ATTENTION. 

50 MD 60 WEST MARKET STREET, WILKES-BARRE, PI. 




THOMAS C. PARKER, 



The finest Stock of Curio's Brie-a-Brae, Im- 
ported Novelties and Sporting Goods. 



Manufacturing ©one or^ tRe preml^^e;^. 



PUBLIC SQUARE, WEST MARKET ST. 
WILKES-BARRE, PA. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 37 

1791 — discovered, during this year, by a hunter, named Phillip 
Ginther, in the neighborhood of Mauch Chunk, 

1792 — Coal pits were opened, in May of this year, by the 
" Lehigh Coal and Mine Company," and blacksmiths 
were gratuitously supplied in every portion of the State 
willing to use it. 

1794 — Capt. Samuel Bowman headed a Wilkes-Barre company 
to suppress the Whisky Rebellion — they were stationed at 
Sunbury. The government desired to stop illicit distilling, 
which the people considering it an inherent right vested in 
them, doggedly withstood, and ruthlessly resisted the 
government officials in their duty, some of whom were 
roughly handled and sometimes cruelly treated. 

A fatal form of typhus fever raged along the Susque- 
hanna. Whole families fell victims to it. 

1795 — This year, Loins Phillip t\ King of France, (then an 
exile,) was a guest at the old Morgan House, River street, 
Wilkes-Barre, where Mr, Edward Darling's house now 
stands, 

Aaron Dolph, built for himself a log-house, where sub- 
sequently stood the Hyde Park Hotel, and the first hotel 
or tavern was kept by his brother Jonathan, 



to Philadelphia, was purchased by the city authorities, placed under the 
boiler of an engine, where it ''put the fire out, while the remainder of the 
coal was broken up, and used for gravelling streets.'' 

"Knowing that there was value in coal, which, in spite of the universal 
prejudice against its encroachments upon the old wood-pile and fire, would 
be made manifest by moral firmness and persistent strvtggle, and that it 
would rescue their mountains from oblivion, the Lehigh operators, animated 
by no hope of immediate remuneration, mined a larger quantity of coal in 1806. 

" The general distrust, however, of using stony fuel " (black stones) " for 
domestic purposes, was so prevalent even among intelligent persons, that 
comparatively none could be sold, or little accepted as a gift, thus compelling 
these gentlemen to suspend operation and calmly wait and watch for the 
public mind to become schooled in the treasures of the Lehigh. Men, how- 
ever upright and honorable, who talked of its introduction into common use 
in IMiiladeliihia, were deemed fanatics, and ridiculed accordingly ; those 
attempting to sell the stuff for cash, compromised their integrity, and in some 
instances barely escaped arrest and maltreatment from the hands of the 
populace.''' — History of Lacka. VaUey. 

Note.— It was considered a good .I'oke to induce any person to try to make 
use of " black stones "" as a generator of heat, and loud was the laugh at the 
folly of trying to ignite stones. 



38 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



WILLIAM STODDART. 



HARRY STODDART. 



KiiiiiiMi 




AND 



%mmmmmmm^^ 



.M„ 



4' 



jt^Ef^^r®^^) S) @ I I 



Nos. 36 and 38 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 39 

1 795 — The first newspaper in the count3'' " The Herald of the 
Times,'' was pubHshed in Wilkes-Barre. 

1796 — During this year was built the first bridge across the 
Lackawanna. People forded the river generally, just above 
Pittston, where there was favorably located several fords. 

1797 — In June of this year the Duke of Orleans, Duke of Mont- 
pensier and the Count of Beaugolais, exiles from France, 
arrived in Wilkes-Barre, and were accommodated in a 
small tavern on River street. 

1798 — Ebenezer and Benjamin Slocum, whose father was shot 
and scalped by the Indians, became the purchasers of the 
land and grist-mill at Deep Hollow, hence, why it was 
afterwards known as Slociim Hollow. 

There were only two grist-mills from Nanticoke to the 
State line. A mail was run fortnightly between Wilkes- 
Barre and Great Bend. 
Wilkes-Barre was the post office for the whole county. 

1799 — The first practical miner, a Welshman, named Abraham 
Williams, arrived in the Valley of Wyoming. Prior to his 
advent coal was mined by removing the surface-earth and 
slate from the vein. It was simply quarrying for coal at a 
great cost, if not loss, to all parties interested. 

The Slocum's having enlarged the mill in Slocum 
Hollow, added thereto a distillery ; for whisky, like the 
" staff of life," was necessary to the existence of the early 
settlers, the only luxury, if it may be so termed, excepting 
the Virginia weed, or that of their own growth, they in- 
dulged in. In this epoch there were but probably a dozen 
buildings of all kinds in the Hollow. 

Although rafts were numerous on the Susquehanna dur- 
ing high water, theyf/'jr/ ark passed down the river this year. 

A weekly mail route opened between Wilkes-Barre and 
Owego, N. Y. Mails were carried by postmen on horse 
and on foot. 



40 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



JOHN T JONES. 

Plumber«Gas Fitter 

f^ear of ''gazette" ©ffioe, 
North M.ain Sti\eet, Pittston. Penn. 



Sanitary Plumbing a Specialty. 



AT THE NEW YORK 



mi mA %k^t $tar% 



.-^South Main St., 0pp. Miners' Savings Banli^^^ 

VOU WILL FIND THE LARGEST AND MOST 
SELECT STOCK IN PITTSTON. 

C, D, AND E, WIDTHS. 

GEORGE S. MALONEY. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 41 

1799 — The vehicle in almost general use, especially for hauling 
purposes, was a huo wheel ox-cart, and 3. primitive sled 
upon wooden runners. Horses were few and generally 
used for riding only. 

A Mr. C. E. Wilbur, was the first to discover coal in 
Carbondale, near the Lackawanna river. 

The certified townships within the county, as laid out 
by the Susquehanna Company, were : Wilkes-Barre, Han- 
over, Newport, Huntington, Salem, Plymouth, Kingston, 
Exeter, Bedford, Pittstown, (Pittston), Providence, Putnam, 
(Tunkhannock), Ulster, Cleaverack, Braintrim, North- 
moreland and Springfield ; seventeen in number, of which, 
there was a re-survey made, to adjust the claim of the 
Pennsylvania claimants.^ 

*" Thus, after thirty years of strife, there was peace, peace at last in 
Wyoming. The record ' presents a sad commentarj^ on the folly of men. 
Passion and selfishness predominated, and the voice of reason is unheeded. 
Not until after their energies and substance are exhausted, and every expe- 
dient that folly could suggest has been tried, do they open their eyes, and 
quietly pursue that course which common sense pointed out at fiv^t.— Annals 
of Luzerne. 



42 


TRADES AND COMMERCE. 




j 

i 

1 

1 

1 
! 


Sazerac, DeForge & Fils' 
Kopac Brandies, 
fioll. "Uhmi" 
aijd Jamaica Mm- 
Loijdor? Dock, 

Sir Robert Burnett's 

Old Tom Sins. 
F. W. Kozzen's 

Sherries. 
Slode & Baiter's 

Ports. 
Suiness' Brown Stout, 

Bass' Pale lie. 




Established 1852. 

! 

WHOLESALE DEALER IN 

Fine Wines and Liquors. 




Agent for John Gib- 
son's Son ^ Co.'s Rye; 
A, Keeler # C. B. Cook's 
Bourbon; "Belle of JS^el- 
son" and" Kentucky Club" 
Sour Mash Whiskies* 


i 


_=^IN BOND AND TAX PAID.3to^. 



1800. 



Thus closed the eighteejith century, with but few, if any 
other events of note, to chronicle in the county's history, 
unless we except the construction of the beautiful road, 
six rods wide and five miles long, from Wyoming to 
Kingston, for which we are indebted to the late Mr. John 
Jenkins, C. E.* 

The advent of the nineteenth century dawned upon the 
settlers when in peace and prosperity. 

The men of the county, with but few exceptions, were 
agriculturists, and the women were manufacturers, that is, 
in addition to their legitimate household duties, they 
milked, churned, carded, spun, knit, and wove articles 
necessary for the use and wear of the family, and frequently 
assisted in field labor— they were helpmates indeed. 

The population of the county at this period was 07ily 
12,839.1 

Anthracite coal was experimented with in the city of 
Philadelphia, when it was pronounced as perfectly useless 
for heating purposes, etc. 

This year the contract for the building of the church, 
"Old Ship Zion," at Wilkes-Barre, was awarded to Joseph 
Hitchcock. It was to be built from subscriptions, and the 



*This road traverses nearly the centre of the Wyoming VaUey, and over the 
"lost niterestmg part. A most dehghtful drive ! The Wyoming Boulevard 
of the future. 

©o^'l^^rP"^ ^"^I^*^ ^^^'^' ^^*^ average annual expenditures of the county were 
l^^^nJ^*^^. , "5^/ property for taxable purposes amounted to about 
W^fiOO.—Atinals of Luzerne. 



44 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 

A. F. HITCHLER, 

4 JEWELER.' ^- 

I PLYMOUTH, - PENN'A, 



Western Ticket Agt. Penn'a R. R. 

FELDMAN'S 

Star Drug 



Store, 



North Main Street, 
PITTSTON, - PENN'A. 

Strict attention paid to the Compounding of 
Physicians Prescriptions. 

OPEN DAY AND NIGHT, 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 45 

1800 — proceeds from the sale of the public ferry, but owing to a 
lack of funds, twelve years elapsed ere it was completed. 

The Slocums' erected an iron forge in the "Hollow." 
The smelting was done by charcoal, coal not being in use 
for that purpose until thirty-six years later. It was the 
first forge erected in the Lackawanna Valley. 
1802 — Turnpike roads came into requisition, when a charter 
was procured to construct the " Easton and Wilkes-Barre 
turnpike." This road cost $75,000 and was a financial 
success. 

The settlement of Ragged Island, now Carbondale, by 
Dr. Ailsworth, of Rhode Island, occurred during this year. 
1804 — The old church, now at Forty Fort, was erected. It was 
\}[iQ first finisfied Q\\\!ixz\i in the county. 

At this period there were six distilleries in Wilkes-Barre, 
" distilleries are said to be the earliest institutions in the 
Valley." Men drank whisky freely, and women and 
children to some extent. It was a morning and evening 
beverage, in many cases, no doubt, taken medicinally.* 

A new court house, in the form of a cross, to replace the 
old " log " court house, was completed at Wilkes-Barre. 
It cost, including furniture and fixtures $9,356.06. "The 
commissioners declared it both elegant and convenient." 
Thirty-two and a half gallons of whisky was used at the 
raising of the building. How many drank of this quantity 
it is not known. 

To perfect the boundary lines of the county a portion 
of the north-western corner was annexed to Lycoming 
county. 

The first debating society in the courity was organized 
in this year at Wilkes-Barre, and was well attended. 



*Wliisky was sold at retail, by Matthias Hollenback, Wilkes-Barre, at the 
following prices : Quart $1.50, " Nip '' 8 cents.— ^nrvoZs of Luzerne. 

Five gallons of whisky, worth one dollar per gallon, purchased, m the 
vicinity of the " Notch,''' one hundred acres of land, '' now owned and mined 
by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company, and worth at 
least $5,000 per acre.''— History Lacka. Valley. 



46 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



WILLIAM J. WALSH 



MANUFACTURER OF 




AND DEALER IN 



Jill Kiv^ds of Jd^ar-d'L:uavo. 

Headquarters for Galvanized Iron Cornice and 
Ornamental WorJc. 



Special Agent for all Leading Cof)k and, 
Heating Stoves. 



leadquaFters for furnace ifork. 

Roofing and Cornice Work Specialties. 

_^JOBBIN& PROMPTLY ATTENDED TOD^^ 
Cor. Butler and Main Sts., PITTSTON PA. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 47 



1805 — The first animal show, an elephant, exhibited in Wilkes- 
Barre. Everybody went to see the " Jumbo " of the time. 

The Old Slocum House was the first frame building 
erected in Slocum Hollow (Scranton), and the second 
built of like material was erected by Benjamin Slocum. 

The old "log" court house, Wilkes-Barre,was converted 
into an academy, it having been removed westward of the 
new court house, a few feet. The first teacher was Dr. 
Thayer, who was followed by Mr. Finney, and the latter 
by Mr. Garrick Mallery, under whom the school became 
celebrated as an institution of great learning, and students 
from home and abroad thronged its benches. 
1806— The first white child born in Carbondale. This was on 
the spot now known as " Meredith Place," where Ails- 
worth, the first settler, built his habitation. 

The Wilkes-Barre library instituted, but did not exist long. 

Wilkes-Barre Borough was incorporated this year, and 
the first Burgess was Judge Fell. Population about 500. 

A two-horse stage commenced running this year, be- 
tween Wilkes-Barre and Easton, running through in a 
day and a half, at ^3.50 each passenger. 
T807 — Wilkes-Barre Bridge Company organized, but the 
bridge was not completed until eleven years later, and then 
at a cost of ^44,000. 

About this time the old jail on East Market street, was 
completed at a cost of nearly $6,000. It was also the resi- 
dence of the Sheriff and his family. 
1808 — Anthracite coal burned for the first time, as an experi- 
ment, in a hickory grate by Judge Fell, in the "Old Fell 
Tavern," on the corner of Washington and Northampton 
streets Wilkes-Barre. This being a success it was soon 
noised abroad, iron grates were erected, and coal was soon 
afterwards transported to the sea-board cities, and other 
places for domestic use. 



48 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 

To My Patrons : 

Having accepted the agency for the 

''Philip BestBrezving Company ,'' of Milwaukee , Wisconsin. 

I am noiv prepared to supply the trade and families with 

their celebrated ''Exp or f Beer. 

These beers are highly recommended by Physicians 

as a stimulant a7td as a remedy for debility, as also for 

table use. 

Yours Re specif idly, 

GEO. A. LOHMANN, 

Proprietor Lohmann s Restaurant and Dining Rooms. 

ijg East Market St., IVilkes-Barre, Pa. 
N. B. — Choice Wines, Liquors aiid Cigars. 

C. W. FREEMAN 

202 Lackawanna Avenue. Scranton, Pa, 




By far the largest and most elegant stock of 
Fine Goods ever brought to this city, including 
Gold and Silver Watches , Diamonds , Fine Jewelry.. 
French Clochs, Bronze and. Gold Headed Canes, 
and other fine goods. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 49 

1808 — A small portion of the county of Northumberland was 

added to Luzerne so as to perfect the boundary line. 
1809 — The first Methodist Camp-meeting, in the county, was 
held near the village of Wyoming, then called New Troy. 
1810— The first Banking House in Wilkes-Barre, opened as a 
branch of the Philadelphia Bank. 

In this year the Luzerne County Agricultural Society 
was first organized for the advancement of the farming in- 
terest, but the first annual fair was not held until forty-eight 
years later, and then at Wyoming on the present fair 
grounds, hence it would appear that the farmers generally, 
did not take much interest in fairs. So has it been up to 
the present time. 

The government contracted to carry the mails, and post 
offices were established at Plymouth, Kingston andPittston. 

A strip was taken from Luzerne county and added to 
Bradford and Susquehanna counties. Population of the 
county 18,109. 
181 1 — The first nail factory was erected in Wilkes-Barre. 
1 812 — The first church erected and completed in the Public 
Square, Wilkes-Barre. Various sects worshipped therein, 
until the Methodists and Presbyterians could not agree — 
when it became the property of the former by purchase. 

The first paper mill was erected on Toby's creek. 

War with England having been declared, the "Wyom- 
ing Matross." Capt. S. Thomas, a volunteer company, the 
first mihtary company in the county, tendered their ser- 
vices to the government. They served in a Pennsylvania 
regiment with distinction. 

1813— Two four-horse wagon loads of coal sent to Philadelphia, 
this was the first large quantity sent from the valley to 
that city. 

1815— Where Scranton proper stands now was a wi/demess. 

1817— A company was organized to make the Lackawanna 
river navigable. It was not a success. 



50 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



H. D. JUDD & CO., 




mm, 






»KJ-ay\T/U£-0-v 



UPHOLSTERERS 



UNDERTAKERS, 

PHCENIX HALL BLOCK, 
PITTSTON, - PENN'A. 



Prompt Attention Given to all Work, 



Upholstering Done, and Funerals Intrusted to 
our Care will Receive Unremitting Attention 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 5 1 

1 8 — The Gleaner, a newspaper published in Wilkes-Barre, 
was the early parent of the present Uitioii- Leader. During 
a period of sixty-eight years it has appeared under several 
different names. 

19 — Mr. H. W. Drinker, anxious to develop the resources of 
the county, proposed to erect an incHned plane railroad 
from Pittston to the Delaware Water Gap, to be operated 
by hydraulic power. It was, however, never attempted. 



1820. 

Population of county 20,027. 

Coal to the amount of 800 tons was mined during this 
year in the Wyoming Valley. ■^ 
1822 — St. Stephen's Episcopal church, Wilkes-Barre, was com- 
pleted. 

Maurice Wurts, the first person to mine coal in Carbon- 
dale, then called "Ragged Island." He erected a building 
which was afterwards called the "Log Tavern." 
1823 — The first organ in thecountywas placed in St, Stephen's 
church, Wilkes-Barre, and the first tune played was 
Yankee Doodle. 
1824 — A terrific hurricane carried the Wilkes-Barre bridge 
from off its piers quite a distance up the river. 

The first river boat propelled by horse-power, arrived in 
Wilkes-Barre from Nescopeck. It was a wonder. 

The first brewery erected in Wilkes-Barre by an 
Englishman named Ingham. Ale was the article brewed. 

*A small amount of coal was mined this j'ear also in the Lehigh region. 

Note.— Mr. Wurts, from 1812, was the pioneer coal man of the Lackawanna 
Valley, and owned large tracts of land, which were worth then, or rather 
could be bought, at from fifty cents to $3.00 per acre, he owned and^mined 
coal from the ground whereon the city of Carbondale is now located."^ 

Mr. W. had a brother named William, who also was interested with him 
in the development of coal lands, both very enterprising men, and to them, 
it maj"^ be said, may be attributed the early introduction ofcoal to the 
sea-hoard cities. 



52 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



H. T. BOWKLEY 



Manufacturer of and Dealer in 




Repairing Promptly Done 

W. H. KERR, 



Manufacturer of 



itrictlg first-Slass larriages, iide-iar 
luggiGS, Ihaetons, itc. 



THE RICE SPRING A SPECIALTY. 



259 South Main St., (West End) 
PITTSTON. - - PENN'A 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 53 



1826 — The first steamboat drawing eight inches of water, with 
an engine of ten-horse power, (stern wheel), arrived in 
Wilkes-Barre from York Haven. All the men, women, 
and children flocked to the river bank to see her coming 
up the river.* 

The borough of Wilkes-Barre limits two hundred and 
fifty acres, forty acres of the river bank washed away by 
freshets \x\ fifty years. 

From this year to 1834 there was but one Justice of the 
Peace between Pittston and Carbondale. This was Elisha 
S. Potter, residing at Providence, or Razorville, and even 
he did not have much to do. 

1828 — The yfr^/ railway in the county was built between the 
mines, at Carbondale, and Archbald, and was afterwards 
extended to places where the D. & H. C. Co. had acquired 
coal lands. 

The first locomotive, built in England, was eitperi- 
mented with by the D. & H. C. Co. It was a failure and 
and had to be laid aside, 7iever to be used any nuve. 



*Steamboats of various capacity and draft of water have, from time to 
time, with more or less difficulties, navigated the Susquehanna river. 

Note— -'In the summer of 1825, three steamboats were built for the express 
purpose of experimenting on the Susquehanna, and, if possible, to establish 
the practicability of its navigation by steam. The"Codorus,''built at York, or 
York Haven, was the first to stem the rapid current. She was constructed 
mostlj' of sheet iron, "and was sixty feet long, nine feet beam, and when 
laden with her machinery, and fifty passengers, drew o)iIi/ eight inches of 
water. Her engine was ten-horse power, and with a stern wheel moved at 
the rate of five miles an hour against the current.— Proceeding up the Sus- 
quehanna she was lustily cheered at every point — in a few days she reached 
Binghamton, from which place the "Codorus'" commenced her return trip, 
ai-rriving in York Haven after a voyage of four months. In his report to the 
company, Captain Elger, who commanded her, stated that he was opposed 
to any furtlier efforts to navigate the river by steam, as he believed it to be 
entirely impracticable." 

''The "Susquehanna, '" 'the second steamboat, was built at Baltimore, 
by a company of enterprising gentlemen, anxious Lo secure for Balti- 
more the trade of the Svisquehanna river. Her entire length from stem 
to stern, was eighty -two feet, while her stern wheels were each four and a half 
feet in diameter, with an engine of thirty-hoi-se power, and with one hundred 
passengers, she drew twenty-two inches of water, fourteen inches more than 
the ■"Codorus." After encountering numerous obstacles she arrived at the 
Nescopeck Falls, opposite Berwick, where she struck a rock, and her boiler 
exploded. Shattei-ed, broken, and on flre, all that remained of the "Susque- j 
hanna'' was carried down the conquering tide. The mangled bodies of I 

i 



54 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



When you go to Plymouth call at the 




(^oric|ucteiL on tfte European pFan, 



gol md %eU %mk «* «tt %cm§. 



Best Accommodations for Travellers 



Sample f Reading Rooms 



FRED. RIBOTZKI. 



PROPRIETOR 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 55 

1828 — Coal was afterwards shipped over the gravity, or incline 
roads to the head of canal water. A not only successful 
mode of transporting coal to market, but said to be 
econo?nical also.* 

Coal mined near the east end of Pittston bridge. 
1829 — The coal trade increased rapidly, and the Baltimore Coal 
Company was organized. 

The first county bank, the "Wyoming Bank," at 
Wilkes-Barre, commenced business. 



her passengers and crew, dead and dying, lay on her deck or had been blown 
into the river. 

"In iaS4 Mr. G. M. Hollenback and others, at a cost of $13,000, built a steam- 
boat, naming her the "Susquehanna," a craft stoutly built and fitted with a 
fine engine of forty-horse power. She made her first trip from Owego to 
Wilkes-Barre in eight hours, a speed of over twelve miles an hour. 
On her return trip she was loaded with coal and her performances 
encouraged the owners very much, but when on an excursion to"; Nanticoke 
dam, she broke her shaft, and was then taken into the eddy at the outlet 
lock, where she afterwards sank and was abandoned.'' 

"In 1849 a steamboat named the "Wyoming," made a few irregular trips 
between Wilkes-Barre and Athens, carrying coal and passengers. The trips 
were made only when there was sufficient depth of water, which, however, 
did not pay the owners, who after a couple of years experience, abandoned 
the enterprise.'" 

"Determined to make another effort she was shortly afterwards followed by 
a steamer named the "Entei-prise," a smaller vessel than the "Susquehanna," 
but of equal capacity. Both were propelled by stern wheels and steamed 
against the current at the rate of four miles an hour." 

"The "Enterprise" favored by a succession of rains, during the spring 
time,paid the owners well,but when the rains ceased and the river began to ebb 
the "Enterprise" ceased to be enterprising, and she was laid up never to run 
again.''— -Annals of Luzerne. 

Thus ended steamboat navigation on the Susquehanna until about a quarter 
of a century later. When it was again revived, but only to ply between 
Plttstoii, Wilkes-Barre, Plymouth and Nanticoke, more esi)ecially the three 
latter places. 

The largest of these were the "Hendrick B. Wright," (stern wheel) Jthe 
"Pittston" and the "Susquehanna" (both side wheels). The former was built 
at Wilkes-Barre expresslj^ for the trade by an incorporated company, after 
the model of the Pittsburgh boats. The "Pittston" formerly named 
"Owego." and the "Susquehanna, the "Lyman Truman," were built 
at Owego, and there owned 1)y persons interested in a summer resort 
on one of the islands of tlu* Sus(int'hanna river. The "Owego" was purchased 
by Mess. J. B. Shiffer and (ieorge Smith, of Pittston, and the "Lyman Tru- 
man" by a Plymouth company, and their career was but brief. The "Pitts- 
ton" and the "Hendrick B. Wright" succumbed to ice freshets for the want 
of a proper dock to winter in, and the "Susquehanna," like the "Susque- 
hanna" of old, blew up at Wilkes-Barre, but fortunately without loss of life 
or serious injury to any person, there being but few (the crew) on board at 
the time. 

*Both the Pennsylvania and Delaware and Hudson companies used these 
roads to Hawley and Honesdale. 



56 TRADES AND COMMERCP:. 



CALL AT 

The Bee Hive 



FOR YOUR 



iress, loods of Iveru iescripiioii. 

For your Shawls, your Cloaks, your Sacques, 

your Hats, your Embroideries, your 

Ribbons, your Notions, &e. 

OUR STOCK IS NEW AND COMPLETE. 

A. B. BROWN'S BEE HIVE, 

PITTSTON. PENN'A 

i 



(Near the L. V. R. R.) and within fifteen minutes drive of Pittston. 

Delightfully situated on the east bank of the Susquehanna 

river. It is unsurpassed as a 

SUMMER RESORT. 



Good Boating and Fishing. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 57 



d830. 

The first canal boat named the "Wyoming,'' launched 
at Wilkes-Barre. 

Population of the county 2y,jgg. 

1831 — ^The first Odd Fellows lodge in the county, was held at 
Wilkes-Barre. 

1832 — The first newspaper published in Kingston, was the 
Wyoming Republican, and probably the last also.^' 

This year the Anti-Masonic Advocate was published in 
Wilkes-Barre, and like the Gleaner, ( Union-Leader) of 
many names, was the parent of the Wilkes-Barre Record. 

1833 — The first steam engine manufactured in the county was 
made in Wilkes-Barre, by Richard Jones, a young man 
of much mechanical ability. This, however, was in 
miniature, the cylinder being only one and a half inches 
in diameter, with a three inch stroke, it nevertheless, 
propelled a paddle-wheel boat six and a half feet long, 
on the canal at a rapid speed. 

The bones of the slain at the Wyoming massacre being 
collected together, they were deposited in the ground, and 
the corner stone of the Wyoming monument was laid with 
appropriate ceremonies. 

1834 — The North Branch Canal completed to the Lackawanna 
river at an immense outlay of money, and in the opinion 
of some persons, perhaps competent authority, it would 
have cost much less to have made the Susquehanna river 
navigable from its head to tide water. 

1835 — Frances Slocum, who, with others, was carried away by 
the Indians from her father's residence in the Valley 
immediately after the battle of Wyoming, was found 
among the Miami tribe of Indians at Logansport, Indiana. 
She had been brought up by the Indians, and was married 

*At this time there was quite a feeling existed between the citizens of 
Kingston and Wilkes-Barre as to the prominence of their respective places as 
a business centre, etc. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 59 

1835 — to a chief, by whom she had two daughters, was highly- 
respected, and wealthy, but preferred living among the 
tribe to joining her family again. She was afterwards 
visited by her brothers to whom she gave an account of 
her captivity.! 

1836 — A small charcoal furnace erected on Toby's creek, near 
the site of the old paper mill. 

Mr. J. J. Albright was tendered five hundred acres of 

land where Scranton now stands for |5,ooo; yet, although 

long credit was offered it was considered too high a price. 

The first serviceable engine of fifteen-horse power was 

manufactured in Wilkes-Barre, for a grist mill at Plymouth. 



1840. 



An extensive rolling mill and nail factory was erected 
at South Wilkes-Barre, at a cost of $300,000. The popula- 
tion of Wilkes-Barre increased rapidly during the very 
short time these works were in operation. It was located 
on Rolling Mill Hill. 

Messrs. Henry and Armstrong purchased five hundred 
and three acres of Scranton lands for $8,000, but owing 
to the death of the latter shortly afterwards, Mr. Henry 
entered into other arrangements with the late Colonel 
Scranton and others, who commenced forthwith to erect 
a large iron furnace, which soon gave inspiration and 
another name to Sloctim Hollow, the most /nimble of all 
the villages of its day in the county. 

In the days of "hard cider," Capoose, afterwards Deep 
Hollow, and later Slocum Hollow, was in honor of the 
President of the United States named Harrison. 

tShe was the great aunt of the well-known "Granger' " Slocum, of Exeter 
Borough. 



6o TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



THE 




PITTSTON. PA., 

DRY GOODS, &c. 

We have decided to abolish our Carpet Department 
and we are determined to close out our entire stock of 
Carpets this season. Parties desirous of purchasing any- 
thing in this line zvill do well to call on us at once and 
secure bargains for less than cost. 

COONS & ULLMAN, 

MANAGERS TRADE PALACE. 

JARCK'S 

They have nicely finished hard frames and are set 
with the finest achromatic lenzes, which do not strain 
the eyes, but will keep them cool. For sale by 

Pittston, Pa. Jeweler and Optician. 

The finest stock in Jewelry., Watches., Clocks, etc.. at the veryloicest prices. 
First-class repairing done in every department. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 6l 



1840 — Population of county 44,006. 

1842 — Another strip was taken from Luzerne to form the 
county of Wyoming. 

The first baloon ascension in Wilkes-Barre, the aeronaut 
was Wm. Wise. 

New York capitahsts, erected in Wilkes-Barre, an 
anthracite furnace operated by steam power. 

White Haven borough incorporated. Population in 
1880, 1,408. 
1843 — ^ most terrible disaster occurred in the mines at Car- 
bondale, by the caving in of about forty acres of land, 
burying beneath it a number of miners, some, however, 
were rescued alive, others were brought out dead, and 
some more or less injured, but many were never found, 
although every effort was made to find them. 

The first railroad (L.C.&N.C.) was completed by way of 
Solomon's Gap, from Wilkes-Barre to White Haven, and 
on the first day of May the first train of passenger cars 
entered the Wyoming Valley. 

A roiling mill and nail factory erected by the Scranton 
Iron Co., commenced work, which led to large invest- 
ments being made in coal lands. 

At -this time the village of Harrison (Scranton) had no 
postoffice, while Hyde Park and Providence had, nor had 
the village a minister, lawyer or physician. 
1844 — September 24. The Kingston Seminary was formerly 

opened with the Rev, R. Nelson, A. M., as principal. 
1845 — Dr. Gideon Underwood was the first resident physician 
in Harrison. 

1846 — A great and disastrous flood occurred, which carried 
away many valuable bridges erected over the Susque- 
hanna river. 

December 7. The Wyoming Artillerists, under com- 
mand of Captain E. L. Dana (ex-Judge Dana), left 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



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CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 63 

1846 -Wilkes-Barre for the seat of war in Mexico. The 
majority returned with Captain Dana still in command, 
after an absence of nearly three years, covered with 
honor and glory. 

The Delaware, Lehigh, Schiiykill and Susquehanna 
7'ailroad co7npany was the parent of the present L. V. R. R. 
The former languished for many years because it was 
deemed impossible to construct a road for practical use 
along the banks of the Lehigh above Mauch Chunk, 
which in a quarter of a century later, was however, 
demonstrated possible and practical. 

The Scrantons' made a contract for twelve thousand 
tons of T rails with the New York and Erie railroad 
company.* 

The Luzerne Monumental Association completed the 
Wyoming Monument. 
1847 — The first quantity of T rails made in Harrison were for 

the New York and Erie railroad. 
1848— The first drug store opened in Harrison by Drs. Throop 
and Sherrerd.f 

The first Jewish synagogue was erected in Wilkes- 
Barre. 
1849 — The first Roman Catholic church was erected in 
Pittston. 



i850. 

September. Continual heavy rain in the early part of 
this month caused a most destructive flood in the Susque- 
hanna river, and its tributaries ; the loss of life and 
property was greatest on the latter. The Wapwallopen 

*Four hundi-ed horses and mules, with a large corps of men were engaged 
in delivering this contract for rails at the mouth of the Lackawaxen, Pike 
county. 

tPrior to this Wilkes-Barre was headquarters to supply the few wants of 
the inhabitants of the county. The tvomen doctored the family almost 
generally, and the drug store was the forest, fiield and garden. 



/ 



64 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



PITTSTON 



MANUFACTURER"^ OF 




GROWL'S 

PATENT 

fron loofing 



AXD 



,|jlll— ly,,™^^^^ „i Corrugated Crimped 

iliiiii™^^ ■ Edge and Plain 

Send/or Circulars and Prices. 

DOCK STREET, PITTSTON, PA. 

S/)mt§ Jlftoimiain Jiotei, 

ROBERT GAUFF, Proprietor. 

LneaU'd near the Highest Point in Luzerne 

County, and Fifteen Minutes Drive 

from Ha z let on. 



j-e^isteisviijIjE, :e^j^. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 65 

1850 — dashed madly over the country, sweeping away two of the 
powder mills of Messrs. Knapp & Parrish. The Nescopeck 
undermined the dam of the forge of S. F. Headley and 
bore off to the Susquehnnna the lifeless bodies of twenty- 
two men, women and children, who had assembled in 
one building on elevated ground, as was supposed the 
best place for safety. 

The first person executed under Pennsylvania law, and 
since the organization of the county, was James Cadden, 
for the murder of Daniel Gilligan, 

The first newspaper published in Pittston was the Pitts- 
ton Gazette, and it still lives. 

The population of the county was 56,072. 
185 1 — The Lackawanna and Western railroad opened for 
business to Great Bend, thus enabling people from the 
valleys of Wyoming and Lackawanna to reach New York 
in one day instead of two, as before. 

The first shipment of coal was made by the D. L. & W. 
R. R. Co., aggregating 6,000 tons. 

The D. L. & W. R. R. opened to Great Bend, opening a 
more direct route to New York, and by the L. & B. to 
Philadelphia, etc.* 

The plank road from Wilkes-Barre to Pittston con- 
structed at an outlay of ^45,000. It did not last long. 
Wooden roads are poor things. 

March 15. City of Carbondale incorporated. The first 
mayor was James Archbald. 
1852 — May 14. Hyde Park Borough incorporated, 

Scranton had but one hotel, but, this year was built and 
completed the "Wyoming House," now known as the 
"The Wyoming." It was then the largest and most 
commodious hotel in the county, and was erected of 



* While the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, with its greater 
length of thirty-three miles, carried 187,583 passengers during the year 1867 
the Lackawanna and Bloomsburg transported 269,504— an excess of 81.981 
persons. — Hist. Lacka. Valley. 



66 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



PITTSTON 



arlat and Iklliattl $alo0tt$ 



HortR Main a"r2t5 (iron 3^'*®®^'^? 



IhoicG lines, liquors, iles,f orter 



AND CIGARS. 



C3-EOK.a-:B SDVs^ITH 



PROPRIETOR. 



PITTSTON, - PENN'A, 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 67 



1852 — brick by the Lackawanna Iron company, who sold it to 
Mr. J. C. Burgess, an excellent hotel keeper, under whose 
management the maimnoth structure prospered for several 
years. It has since passed to another owner, and has 
recently been enlarged and improved so as to compare 
favorably with oXh^x first-class hotels elsewhere. 
West Pittston had but three dwellings. 
Breaking coal by machinery, i. e. preparing the sizes 
for market, was first inaugurated by the D. L. & W. Coal 
Co., at Scranton, and a few years later the D. & H. C. 
Co , also commenced doing so. Although very con- 
venient it entails an immense waste of pure coal. 

1853 — The original charter of Drinker's railroad was pur- 
chased by Colonel Scranton with the view of planning a 
continuous railroad, by way of the Delaware Water Gap, 
from Scranton to New York, and the union of the Lacka- 
wanna and Western railroad company, with the Delaware 
and Cobb"s Gap railroad company, was consumated under 
the present title of Delaware, Lackawanna and Western 
railroad company. 

April II. Pittston Borough incorporated. Population 
in 1880, 7,472. 

1854 — The first gas works in the county was erected in Wilkes- 
Barre, and the borough was first lighted in 1856. 

1855 — Mr. Grimer, of Brooklyn, N. Y., commenced laying 
out the grounds at Hollenback Cemetery. Nature com- 
bined with skill done much to beautify this beautiful city 
of the dead. 

1856 — The first Roman Catholic church in Wilkes -Barre, was 
erected on Canal street. The present large and handsome 
structure, on Washington street, was completed about 
thirteen years ago. 

February 11. Scranton Borough (formerly Capoose, 
Deep Hollow. Harrison, Scrantonia), incorporated. 

Dickson & Co. (Dickson Manufacturing Company), 



I 68 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



I Star Drug Store, 

THOMAS H. JONES, Prop'r 

130 South Main St., Hyde Park, Scranton, Pa. 

.^^PRESgRIPTIONS CAREFULLY PREPARED^i^ 

Specialties: — Jones' Botanic Bitters, a true tonic 
and invigorator. Jones' Botanic Cough Syrup, 
a reliable remedy. Jones' Botanic Liniment, 
unexcelled for rheumatism. Jones' Botanic Pile 
and Gravel Pills, a positive cure. 

Cymry Cofiwch am y lie hwn ! 




Main gt,, pfN/moatFi, pa, 

3^ooi undSiUmid c^oomS^ 

A No. I Wines, Liquors and Cigars. 
THOMAS CARTER. Proper. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 69 

1856 — commenced erectingtheir works in Scranton, and in the 
following year started the foundry, giving employment to 
about thirty men. 

The first locomotive engine traversed the D. L. & W. 
R. R. to the Delaware river. 

The corner stone of the present court house, Wilkes- 
Barre, was laid by lodge No. 64, A. Y. M., it was com- 
pleted in January, i860, at a cost of $85,000, and probably 
as much more has been expended since in enlarging and 
alterations. 

A small portion of Foster township was taken from the 
county and annexed to Carbon county. 
1857 — The fire department of Wilkes- Barre was reorganized 
by C, C. Plotz, under whom it became very popular. 

The first fire insurance company, in the county was 
•'The Wyoming Insurance Company," now defunct. 

August 19. West Pittston Borough incorporated. 

November 23. Kingston borough incorporated. 

This year was very trying to men in business, as indeed 
it was to all persons, a panic prevailed, and trade became 
paralyzed.* 

In this year was organized "The Welsh Philosophical 
Society and Free Library Association," at Hyde Park, 
Scranton. t 



*There was but little money in circulation, and that a State bank currency 
of doubtful value. Counterfeit bills were legion. One State, unless a 
liberal discount was allowed, refused other State's bills, and in some States 
were not received at all. Those who are averse to the present national bank 
system should not forget the days when the money in circulation was 
simply trash in comparison with the national notes now in circulation, 
worth their face all over the country. 

tThis society in its infancy assembled in the houses of Welsh miners for 
recreation, arnusement nnd literary exercises, when it was dubbed a 
Literary Society. But at a later period the name was changed to "The 
Welsh Philosophical Society,'" by which name it is now known. 

Curious specimens of coal formations have been collected from time to 
time by its members, which soon developed into a very interesting museum, 
portions of which have been sold to raise funds to establish a library. 

The Hon. R. Percy Pj-ne, of New York City, was a buyer of some of the 
specimens, and afterwards presented the library with five hundred dollars. 

In 1875 ttie society, by a great effort, succeeded in holding the largest 
Eisteddfod that has ever been held in the State, in aid of the library, and 



70 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



TO THE PUBLIC 



IVILKES-BARRE, PA. 
Ill my business if yon want a f^ood article you 
must pay fair prices; you cannot buy well-known 
brands at low figures. For instance, Rhine Wine is 
worth from 75 cents to 1^9.00 per bottle; Brandy from 
^2,50 to 1^6.50; a small bottle of Hungarian Wine 
$2 50; Moselle, Madeira, Sherries, Clarets, etc., range 
about the same. The only pure still wines that you 
can buy at low prices, are Domestic: Catawba, Port, 
etc. A gallon of good old Rye is worth ^5.00, and, 
as a rule, w^hen you buy it for less you get the worst 
of it I have the best goods that money (cash) will 
buy; and if people must use liquors they should buy 
the best or none. My liquors are just as represented, 
for they are released by my broker and forwarded to 
nie direct from the Custom House. If you have no 
use for liquors I can sell you a variety of mineral 
waters at low figures. I am the sole agent in Luzerne 
county for Dunbar's Bethesda Water. If you have 
any doubts about it send to the springs, Waukesha, 
Wis., for further information. The water comes direct 
from the springs. Send for circulars. For sale in 
bottles, carbonated, or barrels, halves and quarters. 
If you have anything wrong with your kidneys or 
bladder give whisky the cold shoulder and use 
Bethesda Water; it will afford relief in every instance. 
Ask any reputable physician about it. 

BEN. DILLEY. 
45 West Market St., Wilkcs-Barre, Pa. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 7 I 

1858- August 23. Waverly Borough incorporated. 

The first newspaper pubhshed in Plymouth was The 
Plymouth Register. 

On the eleventh of February, this year, several gentle- 
men met at the "Old Fell Tavern," Wilkes-Barre, to 
celebrate the fifdeth anniversary of the burning of anthra- 
cite coal, in an open grate ; when it was determined to 
establish a historical society — in the following May the 
present society was organized. 

A wind storm, or squall, carried away one-third of the 
roof of the Pittston Ferry Bridge. 
1859 — On January twenty-fifth of this year, was celebrated the 
one hundredth anniversary of the birth of the poet, 
Robert Burns. 

The admirers of the immortal bard, ivom fa?- and nea?', 
in the county assembled at the "Butler House,'" Pittston, 
where they sat down to an excellent collation, followed 
by toast and sentiment, after which they danced and sang 
the jovial song. It was a gala day. 

New Columbus Borough incorporated. Population in 
1880, 134, 

i860. 

The Wilkes-Barre Water Company turned on the water 
for the supply of the inhabitants. 
Population ot county 90,244, 



S1500 was realized from the proceeds, and from voluntary contributions, of 
which amount the D. L. & W. R. R. Co., very generously contributed $1000. 

From the proceeds of two other Eisteddfods held in 1880 and in 1885, 
the number of books in the library was increased to about two thousand 
volumes of interesting and useful works, in addition to which, all the promi- 
nent journals, periodicals and other publications are received as issued. 

The president, T. R. Hughes. Esq., to whom the wi-iter is indebted for the 
above information, says: "No one can estimate the incalculable benefit that 
flows from the weekly meetings of such a society. * * * * 

The society numbers among its members and ex-members, not a few of the 
ablest and and most prominent Welshmen in the counties of Luzerne and 
Lackawanna. ' " 



72 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 




LARGEST STOCK IN PITTSTON. 

Gold and Silver Watches, Gold Canes, Gold Spectacles, 

Handsome Plush, Black, Niclle and other 

Styles of Clocks. 

Purchases Engraved Free, 

32 North Main St.. PITTSTON, PA. 

S. H. RHOADES, 



DEALER IN 



irags, iGdicines and Iheniicals, 

Fancy and Toilet Articles. 

Sponges, ^rushes, Perfumery, Etc. 

Physicians' prescriptions carfully compounded^ and orders 
answered with care and dispatch. Our stock of Medi- 
cine is complete, genuine, and of the best quality. 

North Main St. PITTSTON, PA. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 73 

1861 — November 30. Shickshinny Borough incorporated. 
Population in 1880, 1,059. 

The great war for the preservation of the Union com- 
menced; and on April i8lh, the first military com- 
pany (three months men) left Wilkes-Barre for the front, 
agreeable to a call for troops by the government. Other 
companies soon followed from Carbondale, Scranton, 
Pittston, Plymouth and other places in the county. The 
whole county was aroused. 

The highest ice flood for fifty years occurred this year 
in the Susquehanna, it done immense damage. 
1862 — April 10. Borough of Dunmore incorporated. 

A terrible freshet occurred in the spring of this year in 
the Lehigh river, whereby many lives were lost, and 
property sacrificed. The torrent of water, like an 
avalanche, swept before it all the dams and locks, while 
houses and other buildings were carried from off their 
foundations, and so great was the damage done, between 
White Haven and Mauch Chunk, that no effort was made 
to reconstruct the dams, locks, etc. Railways, however, 
soon supplied the want. 
1863 — February 22. Snow fell to the depth of twelve inches. 
1864 — January 2. Remarkable cold weather. Twelve degrees 
below zero. A gale of wind prevailed and the Susque- 
hanna river was frozen over in one night. 

January 18. A terrible scourge, known as the black 
fever, appeared at Carbondale. 

January 31. The black fever appeared at Hyde Park. 
February 13. The black fever cases rapidly increased 
in Carbondale, and terribly fatal. The old and young, 
the rich and poor, were its victims. Whole families, to 
avoid the scourge, fled from the afflicted city. 

The scarlet fever and a type of the measles, very fatal, 
was prevalent in Pittston and the neighborhood. 



74 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 

WEST PITTSTON 

PAINT SHOP 

HOUSE AND SIGN PAINTING. 

liplic ■^app;r ^panging, 



FROM PATERNS OF THE MOST 



Unique and Newest Designs, 



Window Shades 1 Fixtures. 



AND DEALER IN 



Paints, Oils, Putty, Glass, Brushes, &c. 

FRANK BONSTEIN 

Luzerne Ave., opposite Mne Street, 

WEST PITTSTOiN, PA. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 



75 



*Between the years 1861 and 1865 thousands of patriotic men left th^ 
county never to return again. They sleep well! '^ 



1864— February 17. Severe cold weather. Heavy snow drifts 
delay trains from New York and Philadelphia for several 
hours. 

Never was better times in the. county than was about 
this period. Work was plenty, wages good, and business \ 
of all kinds was in a flourishing condition, yet some 
people "were not happy.'' 

February. Great numbers of emigrants, principally 
from Ireland, arrived in the county almost daily. 

February 26. Heavy snow fell interfering with all kinds 
of travel. 

March 17. The black fever visited the Kingston 
Seminary, some of the students succumed to it almost 
immediately. One was the son of the principal, Dr. 
Nelson. The seminary was closed. One fatal case 
occurred in Pittston, and the very severe cold weather 
did not seem to check it in the least. 

Rumors of two fatal cases of black fever, or as it was 
afterwards called "spotted fever," at Sebastapool. 

1865 — March 17. Another great flood in the Susquehanna 
river ; houses, barns, canal boats, lumber, trees, fences 
cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, chickens and other valuable 
property was swept away by the current. 

This year terminated the war for the Union, and 
although it had to be sustained at an enormous sacrifice 
of both vien and money, the North had, during the 
time, almost ^^a continual run of prosperity, while the 
South had quite the reverse.* 

February i. The Susquehanna river overflowed its 
banks, and reached the fences in front of the houses on 
River street, West Pittston, doing much damao-e. 



76 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 

ALL THE LATEST STYLES IN 



AT LOW PRICES. 

loston ihoe itore, liftston, f enn'a. 

AND THE 

London! Liverpool Shoe House 

WILKES-BARRE, PENN'A. 

WISEMAN & BLATNER, Prop'rs. 

PHILIP WEICHEL, 



WHOLESALE DEALER IN 



'oreign and iomestic lines and liquors, 



RUMS, GINS. BRANDIES, WHISKIES, &c. 



Nos. 234 and 236 Penn Avenue, Scranton. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 77 

1865 — The Lehigh and Susquehanna Railroad Company ex- 
tended their road from Wilkes-Barre to Nanticoke. 

February 7, After a very cold spell snow fell to the 
depth of fifteen inches, and the trains from New York 
were delayed in drifts on the Pocono mountain for 
many hours. 
1866— The L. & S. R. R. opened from Wilkes-Barre to 
Scranton, and thence to Green Ridge, connecting with 
the D. & H. C. Co.'s road to Carbondale. 

January 8. Very cold weather. Thermometer twelve 
degrees below zero. 

February 9. Extreme cold followed by a very heavy 
fall of snow to the depth of ten or twelve inches. 

February 24. The Susquehanna river broke up at 
3 o'clock A. M., and the water rose rapidly, but the ice, 
however, went out nicely. 

March 26. Very cold. Thermometer below zero. 

April 23. City of Scranton incorporated, formed out of 
the boroughs of Scranton, Hyde Park, Providence* 
and a suburb called Bellevue.f The first mayor was 
E. S. M. Hill. 

April 27. Plymouth Borough incorporated. Population 
in 1880, 6,065. 

June 10. Very warm. Thermometer iio degrees in 
in the sun. 

July 7. Thermometer 100 in the shade. 

July 15. Thermometer 103 in the shade. 

The hottest weather known in the memory of the oldest 
inhabitant was this summer. 

*The L. & S. R. R. Co.laid a third rail from Gardener's switch to Scranton, 
and beyond, over the D.& H.C. Co.'s track, a lease of twenty years having been 
obtained of the latter for the use of the road. In 1886. the lease having 
expired, the D. & H.C.Co. refused to release to the L. & S.R.R.Co, the former 
therefore constructed a road from Gardener's Switch to the Lehigh Valley 
depot at Wilkes-Barre so as to connect with that road instead of the latter. 

tThe territorty occupied by the city of Scranton was included in the 
Indian purchase of 1754 at Fort Stanwix, N. Y.—Hist. Lacka. Valley. 



78 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



WILLIAMS & McANULTY, 



WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DEALERS IN 



'all laper, lindow ihades and lixtuFGS, 



^ CARPETS, ^ 



^ullliif It $u§§9 ^melm^M^ §U f M/|| 



PAINTS, OILS, ETC., ETC. 



WYOMING AVENUE, SCRANTON 



Main Street, Pittston, Pa. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 79 



1867 — January 15. A heavy fall of snow delayed trains many 

hours. Trains from New York six hours late, and con- 

i tinued so for several days. Snow plows used in deep 

cuts and heavy drifts, 
i February 12. The Susquehanna river high and blocked 

with ice. 

March 29. A terrible fire occurred in the city of Car- 
bondale, whereby sixty stores and dwellings were 
destroyed. 

April. A most disastrous conflagration occurred in 
West Market street, Wilkes-Barre, nineteen stores and 
three dweUings were consumed by the fiery element. 
They were principally, if not all, frame buildings. 

April 3. Sugar Notch Borough incorporated. Popula- 
tion in 1880, 1,587. 

May 10. Susquehanna river very high. Large quantities 
of lumber and drift wood passed down, in the picking 
up of which two men were drowned somewhere between 
Pittston and Wilkes-Barre. 

September 20. Blakely Borough incorporated. 

This year was first issued the Daily Morning Republi- 
can, at Scranton, now the Scranton Republicaii, so 
named after the party it upholds. The weekly was first 
issued in 1856. 

The Lehigh Valley railroad opened to Pittston Junction 
and connected with the L. & B. R, R. 
1868 — Luzerne County Agricultural Society exempted from 

taxation." 
1869 — At the Avondale coal mine, near Plymouth, a disaster 
occurred, whereby over one hundred men and boys lost 
their lives by the works taking fire. A f/iosf terrible calamity 

Jefferson branch of the Delaware and Hudson rail- 
road was completed. 

*It is much to be regretted that the Fair ground at Wyoming is not better 
patronized. deUghtfully situated as it is. with access from the north and 
south over one of the finest roads in the county. 



8o 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



WILLIAMS BROTHELRS 




HEADQUARTERS FOR 

PillsMry's Best, 

WHITE CLOUD 



Hercules Flour. 



CIDER VINEGAR. 



Proprietors of Lion Soap and Starch, ! 

214 and 216 E. Market St., Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 

The Oldest Established Wholesale House in Plymouth. 



FRED. SCHWARTZ & BRO., 



WHOLESALE 




^\9#)*^(J^a2 



ITT S <9Tt-./-i^~^' 




ii^iimi 



'^^*- 



BOTTLERS 



Y5 J^ain Street, (PLYJ^OUTR, (PA 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 



) May lo. The Susquehanna river overflowed its banks. 

October 4. Very heavy rains caused a freshet in the 
Susquehanna river, and other places, delaying the mails 
for several days. No trains passed over the L. & B. R. R. 
and L. V. R. R. for three days. Much property was 
damaged and life sacrificed. 

December. During this month the weather was re- 
markably warm. 



1870. 

The new county prison completed at a cost of $300,000. 
First prisoners entered August 19. 

The first Judge of the Mayor's Court, Scranton, was 
W. G. Ward. 

Population of county, 160,915.* 

Januarys. Gibsonburg borough (now Jermyn) incor- 
porated. 

February 8. Heavy snow fall, high drifts, snow on the 
level fifteen inches deep. 

April 12. The Susquehanna river overflowed its banks 
and risini^ rapidly, 

June 15. Thunder storm, with forked lightning, done 
much damage to property, killing three persons in Scran- 
ton, and some cattle elsewhere. Weather very sultry, 
followed by extreme heat. 

July 20. Thermometer one hundred in the shade. 
A terrible wind storm passed over Pittston early in the 
evening, which was not felt at all on the West Side. The 
inhabitants of the former place were very much frightened 

July 24. Heavy rain, accompanied with thunder which 



*The assessed valuation of the county was $10,703,11(5, actual valuation, 
$173,032,720; the taxes were therefore twenty mills on the assessment, and 
two mills on the valuation. 



82 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



THOMAS MALONEY, 



UPPER PITTSTON, PENN'A. 



DEALER IN 



DRY GOODS, 



PROVISIONS 



GENERAL MERCHANDISE. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 83 



1870 — resembled the booming of artillery, and the lightning 
was so vivid as to brilliantly illuminate the western 
heavens ; it was a grand and beautiful sight. 

October 14. Beautiful Aurora Borealis illuminated the 
whole heavens. 

A grand display of northern lights, the heavens were of 
a red lurid glare. 

December 28. The Susquehanna river was frozen over 
solid. 
1 87 1 — January 17. Although there had been no rain in the 
valley for a long t'me, the Susquehanna river, full of 
thick ice, broke up suddenly to-day, and passed out with- 
out doing much damage. 

January 29. An almost continual fall of snow for 
several days made good sleighing. 

Music Hall block, Wilkes-Barre, completed at a cost of 
$120,000. The opera house was opened by Louise 
Kellogg, in concert, February 2d. 

May. After a long strike all the mines, excepting the 
D. & H., D. L. & W. and Pennsylvania companies, com- 
menced work. 

May 4.. City of Wilkes-Barre incorporated. The city 
covered nearly three thousand acres, with a population 
of about 25.000. The first mayor was I. M. Kirkendall. 

May 12. Gouldsborough borough incorporated. So 
named after the renowned Jay Gould, who at one time 
operated a tannery there. 

May 16. The valley was visited to-day by a heavy 
wind storm accompanied with rain. At Scranton it was 
fearful and did much damage. 

May 17. The extreme ill-feeling incurred by the miners' 
strike, caused the death of two men. When returning 
from work they were shot by some persons who followed 
them shouting "black-legs," etc. 



84 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



8TANDAED 

JAYA and oUier KOFFBEJ 
Fine Teas, d^^^J^^ (J 



.^p-/. ^o 



e> 







.'t> xCV^'''^,x< <?^'^^ 



,^^-/4^^ 



V 






.^^ 



fp 



DAVID ANTHONY, 

^P^rcliant ^lailor and ^lolhi^r 



AND DEALER IN 



Gents' Furnishing Goods. 

No, 8 NORTH MAIN ST. OPP. PA. COAL GO'S OFFICE. 

PITTSTON, PA. 
«^CYMRY GALWCH YMA. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 85 



1871 — May 24. Pleasant Valley borough incorporated. Pop- 
ulation in 1880, 1,913. 

May 27. A terrible accident from fire occurred in the 
West Pittston colliery. Twenty men were killed, and 
seventeen who were imprisoned three hundred feet under- 
ground, were eventually rescued alive, and in a few 
months afterwards seventeen men were killed, by gas 
explosion in the Eagle colliery at Pittston. 

July 16. A severe hailstorm passed over the valley, 
the stones were from one-half to one ounce in weight, 
doing immense damage to crops, buildings, etc, 

July 30. For several.days steady and heavy rain fell, 
much to the detriment of crops, etc. This year was eventful 
for storms, fires, strikes, and loss of life in various ways. 

October 23. Jeddo borough incorporated. Population 
in 1880, 350 
1872 — February I. A terrible accident occurred on the L. V. 
R. R., near White Haven. The train jumped the track 
and fell into the Lehigh river. Some of the passengers 
were killed and others seriously injured. 

February 3. No snow of any amount fell this winter 
until this day, when it came down thick and fast. 

March. The most boisterous and coldest weather in the 
memory of the oldest inhabitant. It is recorded that such 
weather prevailed in this same month one hundred years 
ago. 

June 26. The Susquehanna river was remarkably high 
for the season of the year. 

November. The horse epidemic, "epizootic,'' which had 
been very prevalent elsewhere, raged in the county 
fearfully. Cattle were used for draught purposes ; horses 
on the streets were very few. 

December 26. Thermometer was ten degrees below zero, 
and snow twelve inches deep, followed by much colder 
weather — coldest weather in a decade of time. 



86 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



JOHN SCRIMGEOUR 



SCIENTIFrC AND PRACTICAL 



I 



IN ALL ITS BRANCHES. 



Gas and Steam Fitter, &c, 



ESTIMATES AND CONTRACTS PROMPTLY 
MADE ON APPLICATION. 



North Main Street, PITTSTON, PA. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 87 
/ 
/ 

1873 — The Water Street Bridge.then called the "Depot Bridge," 
was partially built and completed in the following year. 

During this year a panic interfered very much with 
business generally. The results which accrue, sooner 
or later, from civil war, had for some time began to affect 
trade, for the government, during the conflict, were con- 
sumers to a great extent ; but, when peace was proclaimed 
industries of every description, were more or less affected ; 
some seriously, by the disbanding of the vast army then 
in the field.* 
1874 — The steamboat "Hendrick B. Wright," built and com- 
pleted, to ply between Wilkes-Barre and Nanticoke. 

January 31. Nanticoke borough incorporated. Popu- 
lation in 1880, 3.884. 

April 24. Archbald and Olyphant boroughs incor- 
porated. 

April 24, Ashley borough incorporated. Population 
in 1880, 2,799. 
i875--February. Severely cold weather. Thermometer 
ranged during the month from five to fifteen degrees 
degrees below zero. Plenty of snow and ice. 

March 6-8. Snow fell to the depth of twenty-eight inches, 
five to six feet in drifts. 

In the spring of this year a terrible ice freshet done 
great damage to the land on both sides of the Susque- 
hanna river, and in its course carried away three bridges 
at Pittston. 

The ice broke up with a noise resembling the roar of 
artillery, while the huge pieces rose high above the river 
bank, and carried away all they came in contact with ; 
yet, destructive and threatening as it was, the sight was, 
nevertheless, as grand as it was terrible, and not in the 
memory of the oldest inhabitant had such an appalling 

♦Events, if any, of note, in 1873-4, are not chronicled herein, owing to the 
loss of the eompilator''s diaries for those years. 



I ^ TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



Cigar Emporium 

AND 

General Tobacco Store. 

PLYMOUTH, PA. 

imokers irticles in evGrij iarietij. 

SAMPLE KOOM ATTACHED. 

Dealer in Fine Wines, Liquors and Mineral Waters ^ 
No Specialties. Every tiling A No. i. 

''JOE" HARRIS. Prop'r, 

J. P. HARRIS, 

AGENT FOR ALL 

American Watches 



DEALER IN 



Diamonds and Jewelry 

Fine Repairing a Specialty. 
PLYMOUTH, PA 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 89 

[875 — sight occurred before. Communication with West 
Pittston was afterwards maintained by steamers, flats and 
row boats. 

The beautiful side-wheel steamboat, "Owego," pur- 
chased by Messrs. Shiffer & Smith, arrived in Pittston 
from Owego, to ply between between Pittston, Wilkes- 
Barre, Plymouth and Nanticoke."'^ 

The Cliff works of the Dickson Manufacturing Com- 
pany destroyed by fire. 

Pittston Depot Bridge, as also the L. & B. R. R. bridge 
were rebuilt this year and opened for traffic. 

June 10. Music Hall, Pittston, erected and completed 
by Howell & Campbell, at an outlay of $40,000. It was 
opened by Caroline Richings Bernard, in "Old Folks" 
concert. 

A Welsh FJsteddfod\\\^\dt.m Hyde Park, Scranton, over 
5,000 persons were comfortably seated in the great 
Marque, the programme occupied three davs. Oesy byd ir 
iaeth cymracg. 

The coal mined in the county during this year is esti- 
mated at 12,000,000 tons, or more than half of the 
entire product of the anthracite region, and if the waste 
lost in the preparation of coal for market was included, it 
would swell the amount to about 15,000.000 tons actually 
mined. 

The getting of this enormous amount of coal, gave 
employment to upwards of 30,000 men and boys in and 
around the mines, who received for their labor from a 
iiiillion and a half to tzuo millio7i dollars per month. 



*Steamboats, like the old adage, "it never rains but pours," soon became 
many, there being no less than a dozen of varions sizes and styles, floating 
on the bosom of the tranquil, but deceptive Susquehanna. To use a com- 
mercial phrase, "the market was glutted.'' 

iEisteddfod is the Welsh for Congress, a meeting of bards, or learned 
people, who. in the delivery of essays, singing, music, etc., before compe- 
tent judges, compete for prizes of more or less value. Such assemblies are 
very much esteemed and appreciated, both in North and South Wales, and 
are not only instructive but entertaining also. 



90 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



Established 1856. 



S EIBEL S 




DEALERS IN 



PRIME MEATS 



MANl'FACTrRERS OF 



lologna and frankforf iausage 



Superior Brands (Smoked and Green) Sugar 

Cured Hams, Smoked and Green Bacon, 

Corned Beef and Pork. 



Poultry and Game in Season 



North Main Street, PITTSTON, PA. 



1876. 



"Breathes there a Yank so mean, so small, 
Who never says 'Wall, neow; by gaul, 
I reckon, since old Adam's fall, 
There's never growed on this 'ei'e ball, 
A nation so all-fired tall 
As we Centennial Yankees.' " 

January i. A most beautiful day, like early spring. 
Thermometer fifty-six degrees in the shade. The advent 
of the centennial year was celebrated with much eclat. 

January 17. Parsons borough incorporated. Population 
in 1880, 1,498. 

February 13. An explosion of fire damp through the 
carelessness of one man, occurred in the West Pittston 
Colliery. Four men were killed and six severely 
injured. 

March 29. Very cold, the wind whistled and roared 
and the dust arose in clouds, driving people from the 
streets to shelter. 

During the fore part of this eventful year, was built of 
iron, and completed, the Pittston Ferry Bridge, a very 
handsome structure, combining beauty with strength; 
the east end lands on Main street many feet beyond and 
above where the old bridge did, the L. V. R. R. passing 
directly underneath. 

The Wilkes-Barre City Hospital was also built and 
completed this year, on grounds overlooking HoUenback 
Cemetery and the Susquehanna river, a very desirable 
location. 

May 26. Freeland borough incorporated. Population 
in 1880, 624. 



92 TRADES AXD COMMERCE. 



W. R, WILLIAMS & CO. 



MANUFACTURERS AND JOBBERS IN 



House Furnishing Goods 



AND DEALERS IN 



itovGS, ieaters, tinware, ilate, lantcls. 
PLUMBING AND GAS FITTING 

RAILROAD STREET, KINGSTON PA. 



EVANS & SON, 



rr 






PHARMACEUTISTS. 

^^PRESgRIPTIONS KARBFULLY gOMPOUNDEDD^^ ■ 

Dealers in Toi/et and Fancy Articles, Mineral Waters^ 
etc., etc CJioice bra}ids in 

IMPORTED AND DOMESTIC CIGARS. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 93 



1876 — The county auditors unearthed strange things which 
caused the arrest and punishment of several of the 
county officials, and the appointment by the court of 
"seven year auditors.'' 

June 8. The New Iron Bridge (Ferry Bridge) opened to 
to the public //v<? to July ist. 

June 22. After a long heated term the mercury came 
down to pleasant figures. 

October. Immense trains in sections, full of people, 
on the L. V. R. R., went daily to and from the Centen- 
nial exhibition at Philadelphia. 

Thus ended in the County of Luzerne i\\e o?te hiutdredfh 
year of the independence of the United States of America. 
1877— February 11. A grand curling match, Pittston vs. New 
York, at Pittston. The former were victorious. 

March 17. Two acres of surface at the "Diamond 
Mine," near Wilkes-Barre, caved in, damaging houses, etc. 

March 28. Ten inches of snow fell during the night. 

May. Occasional cold rains and light frosts occurred. 

May 23. Remarkable cold weather with high wind 
brought fires and overcoats into requisition, followed in a 
few days by a sudden rise of temperature of many degrees. 

July 22. General Osborne ordered the Third Division, 
National Guards, under arms, owing to a great railroad 
strike, threatening violence. 

July 25. Intense excitement over the railroad strike. 
Business suspended. Mayor McKune, of Scranton, 
appointed an advisory committee. 

July 26. The engineers and pump men abandoned their 
posts. Mines flooded with water. The strike excitement 
increased. 

July 30. Trains on the L. & B. R. R. stopped by 
strikers at Kingston and Plymouth, and on the L. V. R. R. 
at Sugar Notch and Fairview. 



94 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



PETER G. WALSH, 



MANrFACTl'KKR OF 



In, iheet Iron and lopper fare 



AND DEALER IN ALL 



Popular Stoves, Ranges and Heaters. 



Headquarters for Galvanized Cor- 
nice and Furnace Work. 



Roofing 1 Furnace Work Specialties- | 

Jobb/'/io- Pro})if)tlij Attended to. \ 

29 goutfi Main gtreet, 9itLi)toa, Da, I 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 95 



1877 — A riot occurred at Scranton, four men were killed and 
several wounded. The governor was telegraphed to send 
troops to the rescue.* 

August 2. A riot occurred at Plymouth. Troops arrived 
accompanied by Governor Hartranftand staff, in Scranton. 
L. & B.R.R. track at Nanticoke and Plymouth was torn up. 
Hotels and saloons closed, and intense excitement pre- 
vailed. 

August 3. The Twentieth Regiment Veterans arrived 
from Philadelphia. Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Plymouth 
and Nanticoke were occupied by troops. 

August 5. Twelve companies of United States troops 
arrived in Wilkes-Barre, and other United States troops 
arrived in Scranton. 

August 7. A general strike by the miners throughout 
the Wyoming region, which continued until October 19, 
when they resumed work at the old prices. 

August 12. Pump men were driven from their posts, 
and shipment of coal stopped by a mob in Carbondale. 

September 9. Major General W. S. Hancock, U. S. A. 
and staff visited Scranton and Wilkes-Barre 

September 27. Some of the mines in the Wyoming 
region resumed work. 

October 5. A disastrous fire occurred at Nanticoke. 
Sixteen houses were destroyed. 

October 14. The Pennsylvania Volunteers return to 
their homes, peace being restored. 

October 15. A terrible mine explosion occurred at 
at Jermyn's Green Ridge colliery, six persons were 
severely injured, and one killed. 

October 18. An explosion of gas occurred in the 
Jermyii mines, near Scranton.resulting in a serious disaster. 

October 31. The United States troops took their final 

departure from Scranton and other places. 

*This riot resulted in the organization of the Thirteenth Regiment Infan- 
try, Third Brigade N. G. P. 



96 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



PITTSTON, PENN'A, 



HOWELL & KING, 

BREWERS OF 
AND THE CELEBRATED 



^^BRANgH OFFICES :D^. 

^02 Lackawanna Avenue, Scr anion. Pa., Main Avenue, 

Carbondale, Pa., S. Fell St., Wilkes-Barre, Pa. 

THE BEST IN THE WORLD ! 

A Word to Our Customers, aud Others : — We beg to 
call your attention to our Improved F'amily (I. F) 
Machine. It is almost noiseless, and moves so lightly 
that a child could run it for hours without fatigue; 
has a high arm with abundance of room ; is self- 
threading, has a self-setting needle, and a shuttle that 
can be threaded without removing it from the machine 
and a bobbin that holds about twice as much thread 
as other machines. Its wearing parts are adjustable, 
and with ever so hard work to do, it will last a life 
time. Verv Respectfully Yours, 

C. H. MAHON. Agt, 

PlTTSTON. Pa 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 97 



878 —January 21. A general stoppage of coal mining took 
place in the Wyoming Valley. 

May 20, Yatesville borough incorporated. Population 
in 1880, 415. 

June 17. Eighteen persons living near Pittston, poisoned 
by milk from a cow, the udder being bitten bya snake. 

July 3. The Centennial of the Wyoming Massacre held 
at Wyoming. President R. B. Hayes, Governor Hartranft 
and other prominent gentry graced the occasion with 
their presence. 

July 4. Continuation of the Wyoming celebration at 
Wilkes-Barre. A monster military and civic parade was 
witnessed by, probably, about one hundred thousand 
persons. President Hayes and Governor Hartranft re- 
viewed the procession. A gala day. 

August 13. An election held for the erection of Lacka- 
wanna county from a portion of Luzerne, 9,615 votes 
were cast for division, and 1,986 against it, and on the 
2ist instant, the new county, the sixty-seventh in the 
State, was established by the governor's proclamation.* 
Estimated population of Luzerne at this time was about 
I 220,000 

I September 2. Judge Bentley.an appointed Judge,organ- 

I ized the Courts of Lackawanna county, and the machinery 

i of the new county was put in motion. 

September 4. A terrific thunder storm and water spout 
visited Scranton and vicinity, doing immense damage, 
devastation and ruin reigned supreme. 

*To form Lackawanna county there was taken from Luzerne a population 
of 89.000 and 440 square miles of territory measuring in length thirty-seven 
miles, and in extreme width twenty -two miles. 

Note. — County Statistics. — Luzerne furnished the territory for Susque- 
hanna county in 1810,, and for Wyoming county in 184'^. Luzerne was 
formed from'a part of Northumberland in 1786, having then but a jiopula- 
tion of about 4.000. In 1810,when Susquehanna was formed, the population of 
Luzerne was 18,000, 7,000 of which she gave to Susquehanna. In 1842, when 
Wyoming was formed, Luzerne's population was 44,000, 10,000 of which she 
gave to Wyoming. There are nine counties in the State which surpass 
Luzerne in the number of her manufacturing establishments, and but two 
—Philadelphia and Allegheny— Avhich surpass her in the value of her manu- 
factured products. There are in the county 194,115 acres of improved, and 
174,381 acres of unimproved agricultural lands, and the farms ai'e valued at 
nearly $20,000,000. The value of the agricultural products of 1875 are esti- 
mated at %S.^OO,(m.—Hazleton Sentinel in 187(3. 



98 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



Schappert's Hotel, 

^js^Sotjducted on the European and American Plan2;^i- 
aS goutfi Main $t., ©YVifi^c^a-JSarre, ^a. 



German Delicacies a Specialty. 



CHOICl' WINKS, LIQUORS AND CIGARS. 



ilwaijs fresh! 



PETER 



LAGER Bli-R ^SCHAPPERT, 



BEST QUALITY J 



PROPRIETOR. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 99 



i878--October 3. The first train over the N. Y. & E. R. R. 
arrived at Carbondale. 

October 12. Professor King made a successful ascen- 
sion in his baloon, "King Carnival," from Scranton, and 
after a perilous trip landed at Norristown, Pa. 

October 23. A terrific gale passed over the Wyoming 
and Lackawanna valleys, demolishing the L. I. & C. Co.'s 
puddling mill and unroofing houses and coal breakers. 

November 5. General H. M. Hoyt, of Wilkes-Barre, 
was elected governor of Pennsylvania 

November 20. Mr. E. E. Hendricks, of Carbondale, 
completed the largest wooden circular oil tank in the 
world. Capacity 250,000 gallons. 

December 19. Nineteen mules were suftbcated by the 
burning of a barn of the D. L. & W. C. Co. 

1879 — April 8. Hughestown borough incorporated. Popula- 
tion in 1880, 1. 192. 

April 21. Dallas borough incorporated. Population in 
1880. 272. 

April 28. The Entombed miners in the Sugar Notch col- 
liery rescued, after seven days imprisonment in the mines. 
During a portion of the time they subsisted on mule 
flesh. 

May I. The first day of the curb-stone market at 
Wilkes-Barre. Curb-stone markets were not a success, 
nor was the elegant market house* built on Northampton 
street a few years previous. 

May 6. An explosion occurred in the Stanton mine, 
Wilkes-Barre, burning eight men more or less severely. 

May 28. The electric light was exhibited for the first 
time at Wilkes-Barre. 

June 21, The mill of the Moosic Powder Co., at 
Jermyn; exploded. 

*Now used as a street car house and stables, by the Kingston and Wilkes- 
Barre Street Railway Company. 



1 lOO TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



A CARD 



miaj^CUM § PH. 

Lumber Merchants. 

OF WEST PITTSTON, 

HAVE OPENED AN OFFICE and YARD 

ON 

NORTH MAIN STREET, PITTSTON, 

0pp. the Sinclair House, 

As a means to better accommodate the Trade. 

[see ad. page 84. 1 



St. James Hotel, 

^^Sonducted OR the Europeai] and imerican Planl^ 



105 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton, Penn'a. 

OPP. D. L. it W. E. R. DEPOT. 

CHOICE WINES, LIQUORS AND CIGARS. 

Boarding Rates: — Transient ^1.50 per day. Per 
week, $7.00. 

J W. MOORE, Proprietor. 

^^^CYMRY DALWCH SYLW. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. lOI 



1880. 

January 4. Four boys (inmates) attempt to burn the 
Home for the Friendless, Scranton. 

January. The "fifteen puzzle" temporarily interferes 
with business. 

March 10. Roller skating rink (the craze) opened at 
Wilkes-Barre and was soon followed by others throughout 
the county, 

March 10. vSixteen thousand brook trout was put into 
the Lackawanna county streams. 

March 31. The "old stone house," Mill Creek, one 
hundred years old, was destroyed by fire. 

April 15. The Armory Fair at Scranton. closed, netting 
$26,050.83. 

May 18. The smoke from forest fires shrouded Scran- 
ton in darkness all day. 

An act of Congress passed June 14, this year, appro- 
priated |i 5,000 for the improvement of the Susquehanna 
river,/, e. to make it navigable between Richards' Island, 
(below Wilkes-Barre) and Pittston, and on March 3, 1881, 
Congress again appropriated a like sum for the further im- 
provement of the river between these points. The only good 
achieved, however, was in deepening the channel above 
Richards' Island, to a depth sufficient, at all times, to en- 
able steamboats, plying between Wilkes-Barre and 
Nanticoke, to pass through without any difficulty.* 

December. Electric lights introduced in Wilkes-Barre 
at the Dickson Works, and soon afterwards at other 
places in the counties of Luzerne and Lackawanna. 

*0n August 2, 1882, Congress again appropriated a further amount of 
$1.5,000, (aggregating $45,000), which was expended in continuing the im- 
provements then being made lietween those places, and in making a thor- 
ough survey, report and estimate of the cost of making the river navigable 
from Pittston to Athens, the result of which will discoui'age any further 
attempt to make the Susquehanna river navigable. 



I02 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



THOMAS EVANS, 



(d 



P' 



-Pi' 

w 



Paper Hanger, Etc. 



Sole Agent for Holmes & S hope's Process of 
Graining without Paint for a Ground Work. 




avmg.vzg.v on fmpod ^ p^roii 



/V, u 



AS A PRACTICAL GRAINER IN 



mMT:EMmm »r mui. w&qsm 



HE CHALLENGES COMPETITION 



Shop on Dock St., Pittston, Pa. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. I03 

1880 — Population of Luzerne [33,066. Population of Lacka- 
wanna 89,268.=222,334 for population of "Old Luzerne." 
1 88 1 — January i. The Susquehanna river at Pittston was 
frozen over. 

February 11. The steamer, "Hendrick B. Wright," 
was crushed to pieces by ice. 

October 2. Philip Robinson's Brewery, at Scranton, 
destroyed by fire. 

October 26. Smallpox appeared at Wilkes-Barre. 

November 7. Glenwood borough incorporated. Esti- 
mated population 350. 

December 15. Laurel Run borough incorporated. 

December. The smallpox broke out in Pittston and 
adjacent townships, and became epidemic. A sanitary 
committee was soon formed, and subscriptions raised to 
defray the expenses in battling the disease, and nursing 
the afflicted. One hundred and fifty cases came under 
the immediate notice of the committee, out of which 
number only twenty-six were fatal. 

In addition to the above number of cases, fifty-six 
existed in the surrounding townships, all of which received 
assistance from the committee, and some of which 
were also fatal.* 
1882 — January 12. Temperature twelve degrees below zero. 

January 29. A Severe storm done much damage to 
fences, trees and signs. 

March 14. Luzerne county sold bonds amounting to 
^^25,000. 

March 22. A very heavy snow storm throughout the 
Valley of Wyoming. 

April 13. The disease, "pink-eye" made its appearance 
among the horses. 

May. Smallpox still lurked in some places m the valley, 

notably at Nanticoke. 

*The committee, especially Messrs. J. B. Shiflfer and C. K. Campbell were 
indefatigable in Lheir efforts to suppress the loathsome disease. 



I04 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



ARTISTIC PHOTOGRAPHERS 



Lee Stearns & Co., 



(ior. Main a^^b (^Sf/atet^ (^t<^.. 



PITTSTON, - PENN'A. 



CHILDREN'S PICTURES 



A SPECIALTY, 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. I05 

1882 — May 25. The corner stone of the Scranton new court 
house was laid, 

August 22. The L. V. R. R. Co. broke ground for their 
new passenger depot at Wilkes-Barre, corner East 
Market and Canal streets. 

September 23. Luzerne borougli incorporated. Esti- 
mated population 2,000. 

October 31. The ground was selected on Penobscot 
Mountain, to erect a large hotel, to be named the '"Glen 
Summit,"' near the L. \\ R. R. 
1883 — January 15. After much controversy, the boundary 
line between Lackawanna and Wyoming counties was 
settled. 

February 17. The Welsh citizens of the city of Wilkes- 
Barre, organized the vSt. David's Society,* a benevolent 
institution. '' Ca/on wr/h Galon." 

May 8. A tornado wrecked buildings, trees, telegraph 
poles, etc., at Hazeleton and other places. 

July 2. A severe storm blew down trees, fences and 
signs. 

July 21. Wyoming borough incorporated. Estimated 
population 2,500. 

Noveniber 2. Pittston Electric Light Cijmpany broke 
ground for the necessary buildings. 

December 2. Miners' Mills borough incorporated. 
Estimated population 2,500. 
1884 — January 8. Ice fourteen inches thick was harvested. 

January 8. A heavy gale prevailed accompanied with 
sleet, the severest known for many years. 

*The Welsh of the same city, several years ago, organized the ''Wilkes- 
Barre Welsh Literary Society, "similar in character to the "Welsh Philosophi- 
cal Society," of Scranton, (see page 69). 

Other nationalities have also their kindred societies, viz. : The English 
have their St. George; the Scotch, their St.Andreio; the Irish, their St. 
Patrick: the Germans, their Deutche Gesellscha ft, and last, but not least, 
the Americans, their »S'^. Nicholas; but those societies generally exist in large 
cities, and especially in the sea-board cities where those of foreign propen- 
sity are not unfrequently applied to for help by persons arriving from 
abroad in destitute circumstances: a boon seldom withheld, but generally 
granted to all deserving persons. 



[o6 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



BECHTOLD"S 



» 4_CWv<ixvO_S 



-^^^/I'W 9 



> 'iiOlirflVllXXV < 






• ^ ' t * a ) 



RESTAURANT 



iuperior Sines, ipipituous liquors 

AND 



Superior ''Lager Bier^^ always on 
Draught of the best quality. 



WILLIAM BECHTOLD, 

PROPRIETOR 
North Main St., PITTSTON, PA. 

iJ^^Eu^lish and German newspapers received daily. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS, I07 



1884 — January 17. Five buildings of the Consumers Powder 
Company blown to atoms, killing L. H. Emory, of 
West Pittston. 

January 20 Mercury sixteen below zero. 

January 20. From fifty to sixty acres of the surface at 
Pleasant \' alley, was agitated by a caving in of the mines. 

February 7. The ice broke up in the Susquehanna 
river at Wilkes- Barre. 

An extensive caving in of the mines occurred at Hazle- 
ton, wrecking several houses. 

February 8. Exeter borough incorporated. Estimated 
population about 2,500. 

May 2. Forest fires caused an explosion in the Moosic 
Powder Company's buildings, 

February 25. The iron bridge over Roaring Brook 
broke down with a drove of cattle on it. 

June 16 Edwardsville borough incorporated. Esti- 
mated population 2,000. 

July 17. The new clock in the Scranton court house 
struck the hour for the tvrst time. The building was 
completed this year. 

August 10. An earthquake rocked buildings and 
moved things generally, causing people to rush frantically 
into the streets. 

August 26. The Ainsley planing mill and lumber yard 
at Hyde Park, was destroyed by fire. Lost $75,000. 

September 21. The first trip was made over the Erie 
and Wyoming Valley railroad from Pittston to Hawley. 

October 11. Three thousand people attended the open- 
ing of the Lackawanna skating rink at Scranton. 

November. The Pennsylvania railroad commenced 
running trains to Wilkes-Barre via North and West 
Branch railway. 

December 7 A heavy gale of wind accompanied by 



Io8 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 


JOSEPH HILEMAN, 


^et{eijjil ^nsaiidtfcc 


Ss^'^t^ 


Office 2d floor Miners' Savings Bank, 


Pittston Pa. 


REPRESENTING FIRST-CLASS COMPANIES 


IN 


Fire, Life and Accident Risks 


AMONG WHICH ARE THE FOLLOWING: 






xVSSETS. 


Insurance Co. of North America, Phila. 


^8.977,590.00 


1 Franklin, of Philadelphia, 


3,050,30600 


Pennsylvania, of Philadelphia, 


2,378,918.00 


Fire Association of Philadelphia, 


4,250,564.07 


Hanover, of New York, 


2.546,513.00 


Phoenix, of Hartford, 


4,488,22070 


Howard, of New York, 


701,264,45 


Queen, of Liverpool, 


1,760,320.00 


North British, of London, 


3,391,748.00 


London Assurance, of London, 


1,412,480.82 


Farmers, of York, Pa., 


438,180.00 I 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 



109 



1884— drenching rain, did much damage to property throughout 
the Wyoming region. 

December 20. Thermometer ten degrees below zero. 
1885— January 2. An ice gorge in the Susquehanna river. 

January i. The Wilkes-Barre Lace Manufacturing 
Company was organized. 

January 3. Four thousand men and boys were thrown 
out of employment by the closing down of the D. & H. 
and D. L. & W. coal companies. 

January 14. A quantity of California trout was left by 
the United States Fish Commission at Wiikes-Barre. 

The Kingston road from Wilkes-Barre blocked with ice. 

January 29. The Mercury was eighteen degrees below 
zero at Dallas. 

February. The Hazard Manufacturing Company, of 
Wilkes-Barre, manufactured a wire rope 5,780 feet long 
for the Ashley plane. 

February 11. Thermometer eighteen degrees below zero. 

February 12. The Malindrotd convent, WilkesTiarre, 
was dedicated by Bishop O'Hara. 

March 2. The Ninth and Thirteenth Regiments, N. G. 
P. departed for Washington, D. C, to participate in the 
inaugural ceremonies of President Cleveland. 

March 20. The Mercury was eight degrees below zero. 

April 13. Heavy fall of snow which continued for 
three days. 

April 20. La Plume Ijorough, Lackawanna county, 
incorporated. Estimated population 250. 

April 25. Ground was broken for the new jail at Scranton. 

April 26. Fourteen sudden deaths occurred at Ply- 
mouth from an epidemic pronounced typhoid malaria. 

April 27. Six more deaths occurred at Plymouth from 
the same cause. 

April 29. Twenty-two tliousand troutlings, sent by the 



no TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



i¥®p I'ppw c®i£ep 



If you have a cold or a cough, you want the best 
remedy you can and, in order to effect a speedy and 
permanent cure. There is nothing in tlie market 
which will give as prompt relief as 

Compound Cough Syrup, 

Pleasant to Take and Never Fails. 



ANYTHING IN THE DRUG LINE AT 

NAT. WOLFE'S 

.§4 ®Y^c<«.t Mayftet i)£reet, 

WILKES-BARRE, PA. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 



1885 — Fish Commission, arrived in Wilkes-Barre.to stock local 
streams. 

May 4. The rail mill of the L. I. ^ C. Co., Scranton, 
was destroj'ed by fire, involving a loss of a quarter 
million dollars. 

The epidemic at Plymouth caused fearful ravages 
among the inhabitants, and much distress among destitute 
families, for whom subscriptions in money, etc., was 
solicited, and freely given by a sympathizing public. 

May [I. A fever hospital was established at Plymouth, 
and physicians and proper nurses engaged. 

May 19. The Plymouth authorities recorded nine hun- 
dred and five fever cases, very many of which were fatal. 

The Wilkes-Barre Water Company commenced the 
construction of a new reservoir. 

May 23. Mr. Shupp, treasurer, Plymouth Relief Com- 
mittee, reported $13,864 contributed in aid of the epidemic 
sufferers. 

May 27. A well buih and commodious steamboat was 
launched at Wilkes-Barre this year, and named tho 
"Wilkes-Barre," sixty-horse power, with a cap 
carry safely four hundred passengers. She com 
running on the 27th of May between Wilke- 
Plymouth and Nanticoke, and is commanded by 
Joel Walp, who is also sole owner. 

June 12. Thirteen typhoid-malaria fever ca!, 
reported at Sugar Notch. 

July 4. In addition to the usual annual games a m... 
tary drill took place on Evt-rhart's Island, for a valuable 
silver trophy, given by the "Pittston Caledonian Club,"' 
when Co. H., 9th Regt., N. G. P., Capt. Reap, of Pittston, 
and Co. C, 13th Regt., N. G. P., Capt. Moir, of Scranton, 
competed.* 

*The unfavorable f?tate of the weather, for a raiu storm prevailed during 
a portion of the di'ill, coupled with a misunderstanding as to the nature of 
the tactics to be employed, especially did the latter, prevented a decision 



112 • TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



ARMSTRONG'S 



S PHARMACIES t 



Music Hall Block, 6 West Market St., 

AND i 

i 
j 

d9<§ Ga^t Market it., opp. h. ^^. 5^. ^. ©epot \ 

WILKES-BARRE, PA. I 



POUNDIN& OF PMSIgllNS' PRB^(?;RIPTIOt{S A SPE'^^I^LTY I 



Toilet and Fancy /s.rticles, 

Patent M.edicines, Etc. 
)|@°= Cofiivch am y llefydd liyu. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. II3 

1885 — July 9. A terrific thunder storm visited the valley of 
Wyoming, while the mercury stood at ninety-five degrees 
in the shade. 

July 21. The most disastrous fire that has ever occurred 
in Pittston, destroyed Ross' flour mill, and much other 
valuable property, including a span of the Ferry iron 
bridge, while the mercury stood at ninety degrees in the 
shade. 

July. The Pittston Water Company commenced the 
erection of a water crib, or filter, above the Ferry bridge. 

August 13. A 7'cal. live lord {X^"^^ Cecil), brother to 
Lord Saulsbury, Premier of England, was a guest at the 
Wyoming House, Scranton. 

September 23, Mercury fell to thirty-eight degrees and 
at Glen Summit to thirty-five degrees. 

September 25. A soldiers monument at Hazleton was 
unveiled and five thousand persons paraded on the 
occasion. 

A soldiers monument was also recently erected in 
Carbondale, 

October 12. The Erie and Wyoming Valley 
commenced running passenger trains between Pitt-. 
Hawley. 

October 13. A most severe wind an^' 
much damage at Wilkes-Barre and other 

October 16. "Granger Jim" Slocum, of \ 
obtained a verdict for $18,500.00 from tiie L. \ 
for laying a railroad through his farm . 



being given as to the merits of tlie competitors, when it was proposed to 
drill on some future day, which Co. H would not agree to. Chief Waddell, 
of the club, proposed, or suggested, at a later period, to the club, that the 
dispute should be arbitrated by the colonels of the respective regiments, 
who if they could not agree, were to choose a third person, whose decision 
should be final. This, however, unhappily, v.as not done, and the trophy, 
in March, 18SG was eventually awarded to Co. C, much to the dissatisfaction 
of Co. H, who claimed the3^ had won it fairly. It was hoped by Pittstoaians, 
almost generally, that the" trophy would have remained where "it was to 
the manor born.'' 



114 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



The Oldest Established Ale and Beer Brewery in the County is the 

PITSTON BREWERY, 

H. R HUGHES, Proprietor. 

Irewer of lie and lorter. 

PiTTSTON, PeNn'a. 



OUR PALE AND AMBER ALES ARE 

UN-X-LD 

" "TY, TONE AND FLAVOR. 

I t i i f i 

H. R. HUGHES & SON, 



PROPRIETORS OF 



Forest Castle Beer Brewery, 

EXETER BOROUGH, PA. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. II5 

1885— October 21. An explosion in No. 2 shaft. D. & H. C. Co. 
Plymouth, caused the death of six men. 

October 22. The vSheldon Axle Company was organ- 
ized in Wilkes-Barre. 

October 26. A dense fog caused several railroad acci- 
dents. 

November i. President Cleveland made a short stop at 
Wilkes-Barre, eii 7-oute to his home in Buffalo, N. Y., to 
cast his vote for the election of State officers. 

November 4. The ground near the Lehigh Valley 
shops, Wilkes-Barre, was laid out to erect the Sheldon 
Axle Works. 

November 11. A great Welsh Eisteddfod was held at 
Scranton, in the Lackawanna Rink, which during the 
session was crowded to excess. Upwards of five thousand 
persons were present at the close. Cyuiry aui byth. 

November 24. Eight inches of snow fell in the Wyom- 
ing Valley and much more on the mountains. 

Arrangements were made to erect silk works at Wilkes- 
Barre. 

December 18. The Pennsylvania Coal Co. commenced 
the removal of the ropes, etc., from the gravity road to be 
abandoned for the further transportation of coal to 
Hawley, the E. & W. V. R. R. taking its place. 

December 18. A dreadful disaster occurred in No. i 
slope of the Susquehanna Coal Company, Nanticoke, by 
the caving in of the ground cutting off the retreat of 
twenty-six men at work in the mines none of whom were 
rescued, nor have their bodies at this date (April i, 1886) 
been recovered."' 

^Although every effort has been made and is being made to find them, it 
is very doubtful whether they n-ill ever be reached. 

Note.— Fate op the Nanticoke Mitssers.— Wilkes-Barre, April 21.— The 
fate of tlic twenty-six miners at Nanticoke is sealed forever. A second bore 
hole was tcvday driven from the face of the tunnel to the main gangway, 
when immediately tliere was a great rush of quicksand and water. This 
proves beyond a doubt that the mine is filled up to the roof with debris, and 
that all the men pei'ished on the first d&.j.— Philadelphia Record. 



Il6 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



TIE FAMOUS CLOTHIM HOUSE 



A FULL LINE OF 



Men's Boys' and Children's 

Hill Made %lMm 



^'1^ 



ALSO A FULL LINE OF 



Hats and Gents' Furnishing Goods- 



27 South Jkfi,\n St., Wilkes. Bai^f^, J^a. 



J. DAVID, Proprietor. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 117 

1885 — A similar accident occurred years ago at Carbon- 
dale, and later at Sugar Notch and West Pittston. (See 
pages 61, 85, 99, 115). 

1886 — January 27. A toboggan carnival inaugurated at Glen 
Summit. The new slide was opened by probably one 
hundred, or more, ladies and gentlemen ; and, although 
the weather was not propitious, a mile was timed in 1:18. 
February 19. In the morning of this day an accident 
occurred on the L. V. R. R., at Pittston, caused by a 
broken axle, to the through freight train going east, 
whereby two car loads of fine Clydesdale horses en route 
from Canada to Lancaster, Pa., were thrown down an 
embankment, seven of the horses were killed and others 
more or less injured. The company settled the loss to the 
owners satisfaction. 

February 26. A cold wave from the northwest, and 
very high wind, accompanied by snow at intervals, fol- 
lowed by heavy rain and hail, made a blizzard of no 
mean pretension, and continued for several days, and in 
several places with such force as to overturn wagons, etc. 
Schools were dismissed on account of the extreme cold, 
and men at work in the fields were frozen to death. 

February 27. The Susquehanna river, a second time 
this winter, froze over, and was completely blocked from 
Pittston to Nanticoke. 

March i. The first anniversary banquet in commemora- 
tion of Saint David, the pafron saint of IVa/es, was held 
on the evening of this day at "The Wyoming," Scran- 
ton. It was a great success. Some of the most prominent 
Welshmen and other gentlemen, with their wives, residing 
in Lackawanna and the adjoining counties were present.* 

*St. David ("Z)e»'i ah S'a?idde''),was the son of Sanclde, pi'inee Of ''Caredi- 
gion,''' and descended from '••Cunedda Wledig,''t'he renowned prince of the 
Britons, of Strathclyde, and on the retiring of St. Dubicus from the 
archbishopric of Cderleon, he succeeded him. This was in the reign of 
Arthur, of warlike fame. The account we have, however, of Cyinru's, 
patron saint, it is to be regretted, is of a legendary character, and indeed, 
somewhat mythical, very unsatisfactory to the human mind. He was born, 
lived and died in the sixth century, and canonized A. D. 1120. 



Il8 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 

I. i. iupont de lemours I lo.'s 

f$ lining, Hasting, iporting ^i 



Manufactured at Wilmington, Del., and Wapwollopen 
Mills Luzerne Kounty, Pa. 



if 



Henry Belin, ]rn 

General Agent \ 

for tlie JV//oniz7io' District,\ 

332 LACKAWANNA AVENUE, | ! 
■ SCRANTON, PA, I 

^ t THOMAS FORD, i Wl 



^?^ ,-\^ \>' PiTTSTON. Pa. 






-^^ JOHN B. SMITH & SON,| 

Plymouth, Pa. = ^^Vi* 

F. V. ROCKAFRLLOW, j J|j|j 



Wilkes-Barre. Pa. 
AGENTS FOR 



The Repauno Chemical Company's \ ^^ 

HIGH EXPLOSIVES, 
Safety Fuse, Caps, Exploders 






CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. II9 

1886 — March. The Plymouth epidemic Rehef Committee, 
issued their report. There were contributions aggregating 
^^23.723. 1 7, received by the treasurer, Mr. Peter Shupp, 
15,000 of which was a State appropriation, all of which 
was disbursed excepting a small balance of $30.06.! 

March 6. There never was seen a more beautiful sheet 
of ice on the Susquehanna river than on this date. It 
extended from the Ferry bridge to the head of Win- 
termoot island, and was as smooth and bright as glass. 
The young people of both sexes availed theniselves of 
the opportunity it offered for most enjoyable skating. It is 
supposed that a thousand persons were on the ice at one 
time. 

March 19. A man named George E Pringle, of Kings- 
ton, was killed instantly by lightning, at New Columbus. 
He was on his way to Huntington Mills, where he owned 
a farm. It was raining at the time, and he carried an 
umbrella, the lightning struck the umbrella, passed down 
directly through his body into the earth. The umbrella 
was torn to shreds. His face and body were severely 
scorched, his clothing burned, and the soles of his shoes 
torn off. A deep hole was made in the ground and a 
large quantity of earth thrown up. 

March 23, A disastrous fire, fanned by a high wind, 
destroyed a half dozen or more buildings mostly stores, 
in Pleasant Valley, entaihng a severe loss. 

March came in and went out "like a roaring lion," the 
"lamb" was away somewhere. 

April 1. The Susquehanna river after several davs 
almost constant rain, rose very rapidly, several times 
to sixteen feet above low water mark, and in a couple of 
days, each time, fell just as rapidly. 



tThere were 1104 cases in Plymoth. of which number 114 died, and severai 
others who fled the town were taken sick elsewhere and died. Thirty-six 
widows and two hundred orphan children are left to mourn their untimelv 
loss. 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



St. Charles Hotel, 

1). B. BRAINERD, Proprietor. 




The St. Charles is one of the oldest established houses 

in the City of Scranton, and every convenience 

courted by the traveh'ng public can be 

obtained at this hotel. 

128 AND 130 Penn Avenue, 

SCRANTON, PA. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 121 



1886— April 7. Heavy rain for several days again caused a 
big freshet in the Susquehanna river. Eighteen feet above 
low water mark. On the Kingston flats the water was 
five feet deep, and travel between Wilkes-Barre and 
Kingston was abandoned. 

April. In the early party of this month the 
Pennsylvania Coal Company commenced the erec- 
tion of a mammoth coal breaker at Port Griffith, 
for the crushing of coal from some of their 
coUeries in the neighborhood. 

This breaker will have one hundred and fifty feet 
frontage, it will take upwards of one million 
feet of lumber to build it, and, when" completed 
will be one of the largest of its kind known. 
It is estimated that it will have a capacity to 
prepare for market two thousand tons of coal daily. 

ThQ " Cyrnrodorion" soz\Q\.y, of Scranton, was organ- 
ized.* 

April 13. The Lackawanna Institute of History and 
Science organized at Scranton, in the upper floor of the 
county buildings. 

Two more steamboats named the "Plymouth," and 
"Magnolia,'' the former of about thirty-five horse power, 
with a capacity for about one hundred and twenty-five 
passengers, and the latter of about twenty-five horse 
power, with a capacity for about one hundred passengers, 
commenced running between Wilkes-Barre, Plymouth 
and Nanticoke. Both of these boats were recently rebuilt 
and are commanded and owned by William Jenkins, 
Sr., and William Jenkins, Jr., (father and son). There 
are now three steamboats plying between the county seat. 



=^Tlie ob3eet of this society is to cultivate the social virtues amoii'^ people 
of 11 (7.S/) de.^renf, m the Valley of Lackawanna and to hold an annual ban- 
quet on St. David's Day. This is the outcome of the grand banquet held on 
Mai-cii 1st, HI ''The Wyoming," Scranton. and in compliance with the ex- 
pressed wishes ot the majority of those assembled on that occasion. (See 
pa2:e 117). 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



SYMINGTON & PERRIN, 

erieral aijd lob f eamsfGrs 



DEALERS IN 



Coal and Building Stone, 






J I C E«.^ 



OF SUPERIOR QUALITY 

PROMPTLY SUPPLIED Tt) 

Hotels, Saloons, Meat and Fish Markets, 
Private Families, &c. 

PITTSTON, - PENN'A. 



CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS. 1 23 



1886 — Plymouth and Nanticoke. Not only a public conven- 
ience but a delightful ride by water also. 

April. The Hazard Wire Rope Co., of Wilkes-Barre, 
completed a rope 24,800 feet in length, all in one piece, 
for the Philadelphia Traction Railway Co., it weighed 
thirty-two tons. 

x\pril-May. The "Authors' Carnival," was held in the 
Lackawanna Rink, Scranton. It was both grand and 
imposing, the costumes were gorgeous and elegant, and 
the various characters acquitted themselves beyond the 
most sanguine expectation — it was positive evidence of 
the enterprise and genius of the Scrantonians. 

May. The E. & W. V. R. R. was completed to Port 
Grifflth, and beyond, to Port Blanchard, for the accom- 
modation of the Pennsylvania Coal Company's mines 
and breakers, which have not been at work since the 
gravity road was abandoned. 

May 20-29— The Ninth Regiment Infantry. N. G. P., 
held a Fair in the Metropolitan Rink, AVilkes-Barre. for 
the purpose of raising funds to build a new armory. It 
was not only a grand effort, but a grand success also. It 
was graced with the presence of both celebrated men and 
women from at home and abroad, and among the most 
interesting features was an imported"Punch and Judy," and 
a Dog show, numbering two hundred, of various breed 
It was wcll-foujided, ivell-accoutred, wcll-dojiQ, uk'//'_ 
favo7-<td, ivell-patrojiized. and a well-bred (af)fair 
reflecting much credit on the ''B. I. B." and their friends, 
who, were instrumental in getting it up. 

And now, with these closing lines. 

Our subject is exhausted 'till 
Another decade has transpired. 

Other pages of events to fill. 



124 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



WADDELL & COMPANY 



liners and ihippGrs of inthraciie 



...^lo v_> v^ .r\ J J 



^t> jS 



MILL HOLLOW AND BENNETT COLLERIES. 



Coal of all Sizes Carefully Prepared Free of 
Slate, for Market. 



Post-ofSce address, Pittstou, Luzerne So., Pei?i?'a§ife^ 



COAL STATISTICS. I 25 



Amount of Anthracite Coal Shipped from the ''Wyoming 
Region" from the year 1829 to 1884, both years 
inclusive, compiled from "Report A A. 2d Geological 
Survey of Pennsylvania." 

From 18-<i9 1830 50,m0 tons 

'• 1331—1840 951,702 " 

^- 1841—1850 4,895/300 " 

•' 1851—1800 19,075,719 " 

" 1861—1870 47,321.060 '• 

'' 1871—1880 9.5,238,803 " 

" 1881—1884 59,118,981 '' 

220,052,477 tons 
From the "Coal Trade'' report for year 1885. . . 10,230,470 " 

Grand Total in 57 years 242,888,947 tons 

The tonnage is computed by "long'' ton measurement, and the coal used 
in and about the mines is not included in the above table, which it is said will 
average eight per cent, of the shipment. 

There was shipped from the various anthracite regions in the year 1885, 
31.028,530 tons autl. the amount from the bituminous regions is estimated at 
25,000,009, aggregating .-)(l.(i23,.530 tons of cotil. 

The amount' of anthracite mined and shipped in tlie State of Pennsylvania 
from the year 1820 to 1885, both years inclusive, to which should be added, at 
least, seven per cent, for local sales and colliery use, was 009,707,985. 

There was coal shipped from the covmty of Luzerne, not within the limits 
of the Inspectors' districts (Nos. 1, 2 and 3) in the Wyoming region, also 
not included in a portion of the above table, a part of District No. 4 (Lehigh 
region) being within the limits of the count}', which the following, taken 
from the "Mining Laws of the xinthracite Coal Districts," will explain and 
which would swell the total amount of coal actually mined within the limits 
of the county to tens of thousands of tons over and above the amount 
credited to the Wyoming region. 

First. That portion of the Wyoming coal field included in the counties of 
Lackawanna, Wayne and Susquehanna. 

Second. The county of Sullivan, and that portion of the Wyoming coal 
field situated in Luzerne county, east of and including Plains and Kingston 
townships. 

Third. The remaining poi-tion of the Wyoming coal field west of Plains 
and Kingston t()\vnsliii)s. including the city of Wilkes-Barre and the boi-oughs 
of Kingston and Edwardsville. 

Fourth. That part of Luzerne county lying south of the Wyoming coal 
field, together with Carbon covmty. 

The shipments from the counties of Susquehanna and Bradford, both in 
the Wyoming region, are included in the shipment for 1885, aggregating 
105,909 tons. 

Anthracite coal was mined and shipped^from W^yoming prior to 1820—1829. 
(see pages 19 and 51). 

Inspector Blewitt gives a very interesting account of the mining in his 
district (No. 1); he says: There are sixty-eight collieries in the district, 
and to perform the work of 1885, 19,808 me^i and boys were employed. The 
number of men who lost their lives were 54, and 194 injured, making the 
total of killed and injured 248, It is i^resumed that about the same number 
of men and boys, in proportion to the amount of coal mined, were employed 
in the other districts, but it is to be hoped with a decrease in the number of 
casualties. 



126 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



EsTABLlSITEI) IN ISTl. 



LOUIS TISCH 



MA xr FAcxr n f.k ( »f 



FINE*C1GARS 



Wholesale Dealer in Tobaceo and 
Smokers^ Articli'S. 



GENERAL AGENT FOR ALL KINDS OF 



^mporfed and loniGstiG linGPal laters. 



Dealer Ul Imported Cheese, Bologna and Frank- 
fort Sausage, Sardines, Olive Oil, Mustard., 
Etc. A full Stock of 



m^ 



gfFoe^Fi^p ana ^iu^FO^ipionp 



j|@°= Hotels and Restaurants Promptly Supplied with 
all the Delicacies in Gen -Mai use 



POINTS OF INTEREST. 



'HE Wyoming Monument— Erected over the bones of the slain at the 

^massacre of Wyoming, oh the east side of the road, leading from Pitts- 

i ton to Kingston, &c.,is an object of much interest to tourists and others, 

-, I visiting the valley, as also, is Queen, Esther's Rock— known in history as 

- "Bloody Rock,'' located near the Monument, whereon sixteen white 

persons (see page 25) were cruelly murdered by the "Bloody Queen," in 

person. 

Forty Fort— Near Kingston, the head quarters of the Connecticut settlers 
during the Pennamite war,as also,the spot from whence the settlers marched 
to meet the combined force of Tories and Indians, on the ever memorable 3d 
of July. 

Campbell's Ledge— Well known in history, is situated at the upper end 
of the Valley, beneath which the Susquehanna river glides swiftly along, is a 
picturesque locality of much beautj'. 

The Ledge towers above the river 000 feet and was once known as " Dial 
Rock," from the fact of having marked the sun. when at mei-idian— it was 
the Indian's cloek-a natural and faithful time-piece ! A magnificient view can 
be had. from the summit, of the valley, towns and islands in the distance. 

Falling Spring— A short distance above the Ledge is a beautiful water-fall 
of probably 60-feet drop. In by-gone days it was thought that in this locality, 
valuable minerals, including silver ore, were to be found, but alas ! none, as 
yet, have been uncovered by persons who have laid open the bowels of the 
earth in the deluded hope to find the precious metal (see page 33.) 

PiTTSTON Bridges— Beautiful views can be had from those bridges of the 
Valley and river, with islands in the distance. 

Prospect Rock— Situated about 2 miles above Wilkes-Barre, 800 feet above 
the Susquehanna river, is a delightful retreat, where a magnificient view of 
the Valley can be had for miles, and in the vicinity is an excellent hotel, 
which can be reached by railroad or otherwise. 

Glen Summit— Three quarters of an hour's ride from Wilkes-Barre, over 
the L. V. R. R., and about 1.300 feet above the Susquehanna river, is another 
delightful place of resort. A large elegant hotel has been recently erected 
there, surrounded by well laid lawns, walks and drives. It is capable of 
accommodating several hundred guests, and is frequented both in summer 
and wintej- by persons from far and near. Avho seek pure mountain air, far 
above the w/rr.sma of the valley. combined with the luxuries of a first class 
hostelrie. 



128 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



FRANK P. REAP, 



ACCENT FOR 



leal Mate, lire, life andicciderit 

©^ insurance"^ 

Passaps to and Iroia all Parts of Earoje. 

Sij^/if Drafts on Reliable European Banks. 

COLLECTIONS PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO. 

_^NEXT DOOR TO MINERS' BANKD^^ 
PITTSTON, - - PKNN'A. 



POINTS OF INTEREST. 1 29 



The view of the valley when ascending the mountain over the L.V. and L.& 
S.R.R. is grand bej^ond description, and a distance of seventeen miles has to 
be traversed to accomplish a distance of oulj- three miles drive from Wilkes- 
Barre to Fairview. 

Mountain Park and Luzerne Grove— The former located on the L. & S. 
R. R., and the latter on the L. V. R. R., are convenient to Wilkes-Barre, and 
in summer are the resorts of excursion parties from all parts of the county. 
Both places are well arranged for the accommodation of the public, as to 
comfort and convenience, and are well patronized. 

Nanticoke— Eight miles below Wilkes-Barre, on the east side of the Sus- 
quehanna river, can be reached both hy rail and steamboat from Wilkes- 
Barre— the latter is a most delightful trip, and the scenery is trulj' grand; 
the well known " Honey Pot/' 865 feet high, is a charm to the human eye. 

Harvey's Lake— The most attractive place in the county of Luzerne, dis- 
tance by road twelve miles from Wilkes-Barre. covers an area of 128.5 acres 
or about two square miles,is the largest body of freshwater in the State, and 
is 1 ,000 feet above the Susquehanna river ; it is a favorite resort during the 
summer months, and in addition to two hotels (the principal being the "Lake 
House''), several nicely designed cottages have been erected on the slopes 
overlooking the lake, occupied in summer by Wilkes-Barreans and other 
residents of the counties of Luzerne and Lackawanna. Boating, fishing and 
shooting, in season, are among the attractions. A railroad, it is said, will 
soon connect the vallej^ with one of the finest lakes in the country, which, 
when completed, will bring this charming spot within an hours ride of the 
county seat. 

Lookout Mountain — Is within a few miles of the village of Wjoming, 
and in the immediate neighborhood of the Wyoming Camp Ground, where 
are held the annual Methodist camp meetings. It is a village in itself. Cot- 
tages have been built by tiiose who attend tiie meelings when in ses- 
sion. From this point, in addition to places situated in the Wyoming Valley, 
Scranton, Dunmore and other far off places in the Lackawanna Valley, and 
in the Lehigh Valley also, can be seen on a clear day. Truly a magnificent 
view. 

Crystal Lake.— Situated above Carbondale, six miles distant, is another 
beautiful sheet of water, covering an area of about three hundred acres— 
in some places it is of unknown depth— like Harvey's Lake, it is much 
frequented in the summer time. 

Many other places of interest to tourists and others are nestled within the 
counties of Luzerne and Lackawanna, and within easy access of Scranton. 
Wilkes-Barre and Pittston. the most thriving and populous places in the 
valleys of Wyoming and Lackawanna, ^d especially should strangers 
vi.siting the valleys, not fail to ascend Bald Mountain, nearly two thousand 
feet above the Susquehanna river. From its summit can be viewed scenery 
which no pen can well describe, and especially from the summit of the Honey 
Pot, at Nauticake, (S3 named in 1772 by Major Prince Alden, 
who owned the property, having seen upon it on his first en- 



130 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



m.mi 



DEALERS IN 



|rmios and #rgans 



WE ARE GENERAL AGENTS FOR 



ar^i. ^ anil 



if G iell on lonthlu lapGnts. 



NKVV Y. M. C. A. HUILDING, 



222 « 224 WYOMING AVE., 



SCRANTON, PA. 



POINTS OF INTEREST. I3I 

trance, vast swarms of wild bees,) the view is most magnificent, and must 
be seen to be appreciated as the finest and most charming in the valley. 

There are three or four cities of the dead (cemeteries) worth visiting, viz. : 
The Hollenback Cemetery, Forty Fort, Forest Hill and Dunmore. The 
former is located on the east side and overlooking the Susquehanna river 
near Wilkes-Barre, the other on the west side, near Kingston, and both the 
latter near Scranton. Aside from man's skill and laborious work 
nature has done much to beautify Hollenback, Forest Hill, and its 
neighbor. Forty Fort, although scientifically laid out, and abounding with 
beavitiful evergreens, etc., has little to recommend it except that it is located 
on classic ground, lacking_the beauty of hill and dale, in miniature; of 
which the others are so beautifully formed. 

In conclusion, strangers, and indeed others, should not fail to visit the 
Historical Museum at Wilkes-Barre, as also call on Dr. Hollister, of Scranton 
and Hon. Steuben Jenkins, of Wyoming. These gentlemen will be pleased 
to show their interesting collection of Indian relics, etc. (See page 23.) The 
writer overlooked the fact of Mr. A. J. Griffith, of West Pittston, having 
also an extensive collection, to the collecting and arranging of which, he 
has devoted much time and attention, otherwise his collection would have 
been duly mentioned among others. 

Attention is also called to Mr. R. D. Lacoe's (private) museum of geologi- 
cal specimens, at Pittston, the largest and most complete collection, it is 
said, in the United States. The specimens number fifty thousand, more or 
less. 

Mr. Edward Jones.of Olyphant, Lackawanna county, has also a marvelous 
(private) collection of fossils, carboniferous specimens, very interesting to 
those who admire the curious formations from vegetable matter, far down 
in the bowels of old mother earth, which Mr. Jones will, as will also Mr. 
Lacoe, no doubt, be glad to show to any person desirous of seeing the 
geological wonders of natui-e. 



[32 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 

Wilkes. Par^e^, Kingston and Wyoming, 



Buyers and Agents for the Sale of 
all Kinds of Vehicles. 



le iuij, fell aiid IxchangG §GGond land 

COACHES. 



Carriages, Buggies and Business Wagons of 
every Style and Description. Also, 

Driving;, Saddle i Work Horses 



APPENDIX. 



.-qpN the early chronology of the Vallej- of Wyoming. (108:^) allusion is sini- 
gjj^ ply made to the arrival of the proprietor of Pennsylvania, in company 
I with others, on the banks of the Delaware, etc., (see page 7) and as it 
^y might be interesting to the reader to know more of him and of his 
"^^ family; prior to his advent, the following brief account is taken from 
the Givladganrr for 1839, published in Wales. 

'In (he memorials of the State of Pennsylvania.compiled by John Watton, 
we read as follows: One Hugh Dafydd (who it appears was a Montgomery- 
shire man) came to this country with William Penn, and took up his residence 
at a place called Gwynedd,whieh is inhabited chiefly by Welshmen. While on 
the voyage they became intimately acqviainted with each other, and Penn 
observed to Pafydd: 'Hugh. I am a Welshman myself, and I will tell thee 
how our family lost their surname. My grandfather's name was Sion Tudor, 
who resided on a high hill or mountain in Wales, where he was generally 
known as Sion-Pen-Mynydd. (This place is situate in Anglesey). He re- 
nwved from Wales to Ireland, where he became very wealthy. On his 
return to his native country his old friends addressed him not as before, but 
as Mr. Pen. He afterwards removed to London where he settled, and was 
knoAvn as John Penn. which then became the family name.' When Mr. 
Thomas Penn (second son of William Penn by his second wife) became gov- 
ernor of the colony in 1732, the following poetical address was presented to 
him by Mr. Hugh Dafydd: 

LINE.S ADDRESSED BY HUGH DAFYDD TO THOMAS PENN. OF THE 
ROYAL LINE OF TUDOR. 

For the love of him who now deceased be, 
I salute his loyal one of three. 
That ruleth here in glory so serene — 
A branch o' Tudor, alias Thomas Penn. 

From Anglesie, an isle in rich array. 
There did a prince the British sceptre sway. 
Out of that stem, I do believe no less. " ^ 
There sprang a liranch to rule this wilderness. 

May Zion"s King keep thy heart— amen : 
So I wish to all the race of Penn; 
That the.y may never of His favor miss. 
Who is the door to evei'lasting bliss. 

In the second line of the first verse reference is made to the three sons of 
William Penn. by Hannah Callowhill. his second wife, namely, John, Thomas 
and Dennis. During the lifetime of William Penn official favors were freely 
bestowed on Welshmen in the colony. "" T. H. J. 



134 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 

S. M. NASH'S 

mil mESlTIIEB All CIEFET 

WAREHOUSE, 
109 AND ill Lacka, Avenu . 

SCRANTON, PA. 



Keeps eonstaivtly in his Store every Variety of 

Household Furniture, Farlor, Dining- Room 

and Chamber Sets. 



Hotels and Frivate hikni hmM Tlirougliout 



At 25 Per Cent. Less than any other Hoxtse in the City. 



Goods Carefully Packed for Buyers residing 
outside of the City. 



APPENDIX. 



135 



There is another account recently pubhshecl in a London magazine of 
which the folloAving is an extract: 

"Wilham Penn came from a notable family. The Penns, of Buckingham- 
shire, who trace their descent, as he has himself recorded, from a Welsh- 
man of position, John Tudor, who came to be called .John Penminnith 
(Penmynydd), and then John Pen, because he lived on the top of a moun- 
tain, in North Wales.'' 

This might account for the great interest he took in the Welsh Quakers, 
some of whom, as already stated, accompanied him to this country and 
settled in places adjacent to the "city of brotherly love," hence the names 
Giri/nedd, Penrhyn and North Wales, along the line of the North Pennsyl- 
vania railroad en route from Bethlehem to Philadelphia. 

It is also recorded that William Penn was very desirous of naming the new 
province New Wales, but the king overruled by ordering it named in honor 
of the Penn family, hence Pennsylvania. 

Thus was AVilliam Penn a lineal descendent of princes, the early Tudors 
being princes of Wales, and it was through the accession of Henry, Duke of 
Richmond, who was the grandson of OAvain Tudor, a descendent of the last 
princes of GAvynedd, that Wales was flually incorporated with England, 
fulfilling a prophecy made to Cadwaladr, the last king of the Britons, 
797 years before that period, "that his stocl^ and progeny should reign in this 
land, and bear dominion again; happily it was so, that by a descendent of 
the house of Tudor, Wales should have been ^completely incorporated with 
England satisfactorily to all p?rsons concerned in the welfare of the 
principalitj'. 

The writer also deems it not improper that subsequent events chron- 
icled herein, should be followed by pertinent remarks on subjects which 
would otherwise occupy more time and space than could be very well given 
to a woi-k of the kind, indeed, it is not to be presumed that every incident 
that has occun-ed within the limits of "Old Luzerne.'' from its early history 
to the present time have been recorded in these pages; but only such 
as are deemed /xoiMnteresting to the general reader, and to those who 
might have occasion to refer to data in brief, of events of more than 
ordinary import. 

And to that end, as little has been writt(>n<>f the rise and progress of the 
county. /. e. in a commercial sense— excepting in a few instances— it has 
occurred to our mind to make the AVf)rk more complete, a further effort 
should be made to give a brief account of the leading manufacturing and 
other interests, to which the county OAves much of the prosperity that has 
in so few years, comparatively speaking, made it one of the most populous 
and enterprising shires in the Keystone State. 

The pioneer coal company is the DelaAA-are and Hudson C'^'-nal Company, 
whose charter dates back to 1823, Avhen it Avas incorporated by the State of 
New York. In 1S29 this company commenced shipping coal from Carbon- 
dale (see page .55). and from that period to the present time, under able 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



What is Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters 
Recommended For? 

I. — Indigestion; its dififerent forms, such as sick headache, 
heart-burn, cramp, flatulency, sense of fulness and oppression 
after eating, drowsiness, and pains in the region of the heart, 
2. — Without exception the best remedy for the depression of 
spirits and melancholy. Being a vegetable "pick me up," is 
strongly recommended for nervous diseases, such as undue anx- 
iety, despondency, fainting fits, neuralgia, and nerve pain gen- 
erally. 3.— Has successfully treated (after all other known 
preparations had failed) severe cases of affection of the chest, 
such as common colds, bronchitis, asthmatic colds, shortness 
of breath, spitting of blood, &c, 4.— Are invaluable to nursing 
mothers; they enrich the blood and impart a healthy and safe 
tonic during the period of lactation. Should be taken by all deli- 
cate females as they strengthen the system, thereby promoting 
good health. They are invaluable to those who suffer from Hys- 
terics, Fainting Fits, Giddiness, Pains in the Side, Headaches or 
Sickness. 5. — To children growing, and to people suffering 
great weakness, either after an illness or through long confine- 
ment in ill-ventilated rooms or other cause, they are invalua- 
ble. 

GWILYLM EVANS' QUININE BITTERS 

is highly recommended by the medical faculty, and sold by all 
Druggusts. All sufferers should give it a trial. Price $1,25 
per bottle— Sole agent for the United States, R. D, WiUiams, 
Chemist, Plymouth, Pa. 



MOTHERS, USE WILLIAMS' 

ioothing and f eethirig f owders, 

PERFECTLY HARMLESS. 

Cures Fits, Convulsions, Fever, etc., and for children 

cutting their teeth. Sold by Drugorists. 



APPENDIX. 



137 



management, the shipment of coal from the mines has gradually and steadily 
increased from a few hundreds to over two million tons per annum. 

Following the D. & H. C. Co. came the Washington Coal Company, with 
headquarters at Pittston, chartered April 16, 1838, and merged in the 
Pennsylvania Coal Company, Api'il 9, 1849. 

Of all the coal companies in the "Wyoming region," and, we may say, 
including the Lackawanna, the Pennsylvania Coal Company has been the 
most successful. Their stock is held at 135 above par value, and is not in the 
market at any price. 

The ncAv railroad, the Erie and Wyoming Valley, recently built by the 
company at a cost of several millions, between Pittston and Hawley, has 
been the means of abolishing the gravity road system for the transportation 
of coal to New York and intermediate places; and, it is expected that in 
addition to a more rapid transit, a considerable saving will be affected in 
shipping the coal to market. 

The Pennsylvania Coal Company, when but httle else was to do, has been, 
and is to Pittston what the Delaware and Hudson Coal Company, was, and is 
to Carbondale, and the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western was to Scrantou, 
the means of giving employment to thousands of men and boys, who have 
always been regularly paid in money, and not in merchandise, thus en- 
abling them to make purchases in the cheapest market. 

It is much to be regretted that some of the other companies do not adopt 
the same liberal policy-, but, alas ! they have not ! and do not ! and never will 1 
while there are gaps in the laws— which, in the language of an eminent 
lawyer— are wide enough to drive a four horse coach through without hazard. 

The iirst leading railway iron industry in the county was the Lackawanna 
Iron Company, of Scranton. 

This veiy extensive concern owes its birth to the determined energy 
of a Mr. William Henry, of Stroudsburg, in this State, who, with another 
gentleman, named Drinker, were much interested for several years in the 
development of the resources of the Lackawanna Valley. 

In March, 1840, Mr. Henry and a wealthy gentleman, named Ai'mstrong, 
residing on the banks of the Hudson, New York, purchased of Messrs. Wm. 
Merrifield, Zenas Albro, and Wm. Ricketson. 503 acres of land for the mere 
nominal sum of $8,000. Yes, land 1 whereon is now located the third largest 
city in the State of Pennsylvania, (Scranton). 

The death of Mr. Armstrong, which occurred very shortly after the pui'- 
chase was made, brought about a change in the partnership existing between 
him and Mr. Henry, and the latter soon afterwards associated himself in 
partnership with Col. George W. Scranton, Mr. Selden T. Scranton and Mr. 
Sanford Grant, of Oxford, N. J., under the firm name of Scrantons, Grant & 
Co., who, on the 11th of September, 1840, broke ground to erect a fm-nace in 
Slocum Hollow, (see page 59). A furnace in due time was completed, and 
an unsuccessfuLattempt made to put it in blast; indeed, two attempts were 
made to do so, each time a failure to produce the desired results. When 
at last the sei'vices of a skilful furnace manager, in the person of Mr. John F. 



138 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 




TowNEND Brothers, 

WILKES-BARRE. PA., AGENTS FOR THE 

Manufacturers for the Trade, of 

Strictly First Class Vehicles. 

Brewster Cross Spring Side Bar a Specialty. 

COLUMBUS, O., U. S. A. 

To Our Friends and Patrons: — Our efforts are hon- 
estly directed toward the manufacture of a Buggy 
which shall be the best that can be produced. Our aim 
is not to do the work as cheap as possible, but as 
good as can be, s.nd at prices as low as the quality of 
our work can be afforded. We cannot undertake to 
compete in price with inferior buggies, as we will not 
impair the quality in order to reduce the cost. During 
the past year large additions have been made to our 
facilities, both in costly machinery and in extensive 
buildings, which enable us to produce better work 
than ever before. We make' Buggies and light Car- 
riages only, and by concentrating all our efforts upon 
one class of work, and by availing ourselves of a 
long practical experience, and careful attention to the 
wants of the trade, and by a thorough system in the 
use of skilled labor, improved machinery, and the 
best material throughout, we have succeeded in mak- 
ing a buggy which has no superior. 

Columbus Buggy Company, 

im^See Ad. Page 132. 



APPENDIX. 



139 



Davis, a Welshman, was secured, who in December 1841, succeeded inputting 
the fiu-nace to i^ractical use; and railway iron was soon afterwards manu- 
factured. The first contract made was with the Erie Railroad Company for 
12,0()0 tons of iron rails to weigh 58 pounds to the yard, at ^70 per ton, deliv- 
ered, (see page 63) and under the al)le management of Mr. J. W. Sci-anton, 
the enterprise was very successful, the works improved and enlarged, and 
Slocum Hollow, afterwards named Harrison ; soon became a thriving and 
prosperous village. 

This company, now under the firm name of the Lackawanna Iron and Coal 
Company, have, since their organization in 1841, steadily increased their 
business. Their vast shops, machinery, steel plant and coal mines, gives 
employment to about 4,.50O persons. 

In 1848 the name of the village of Harrison was changed in honor of the 
Scrantons to Scrantonia, by which name it was afterwards known until it 
was again changed in the following year to Scrantou. (See page (57). 

The Scrantons' success soon induced large capitalists to join them in pro- 
moting the interests of the Lackawanna Valley, which culminated in the 
building of the D. L. & W. R. R. to Great Bend, north, and to New Hampton, 
N. J., south; (see pages G.j-C)7) large tracts of coal lands were purchased, and 
themininganddelivery of coal soon became an extensive business: and now 
they give employment, in and around the mines, to over .5,000 men and boys, 
and in the shipping department to probably 3,000 more. Their main road 
an.l branches extend over a distance of more than a thousand miles. 

Another solid and thoroughly established enterprise is the Dickson Manu- 
facturing Company, incori^orated in 186-^. Located at Scranton and Wilkes- 
Barre. (See page 69). 

This company- are manufacturers of stationary and locomotive engines of 
the most approved kind and colossal proportions, in addition to which, 
they manufacture heavy castings of various description, whereby employ- 
ment is given to several hundred men and boys. 

The Scranton Steel Company, chartered August 8, 1881, one of the largest 
steel rail mills in the United States, originated Avith Mr. W. W. Scranton, the 
former manager of the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company's works, who 
has, through indomitable will and perseverance, combined with executive 
ability, succeeded in making this extensive works one of the most successful 
steel and rail enterprises in the country, and will vie favorably, no doubt, 
with any of the European "Bessemer"' steel works, with which Mr. Scran- 
ton is familiar. 

The rail mill, foundry, machine and pattern shops are model buildings, 
covering a large area of ground, and the capacity of the works is estimated 
at 75,000 tons of steel rails annuallv, whereby employment is given to about 
five hundred workmen. 

In addition to the many collieries, there are various other industries, too 
numerous to mention, in and neai- the city of Scranton, giving employment 
to many thousands of the citizens, where fifty years ago was almost a barren 
waste, now stands a fine city of probably 75,000 inhabitants, more or less. 



140 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



JOHN OWENS, 

PRACTICAL 

laiGhniaker 

AND 

leweler, 




aim 



wfnu^^ 



^erflritor|^ ^a, 



A iarge stock of Gold and Silver Watches on hand 
American and Foreign Watches Repaired. 

If you want to buy a good watch. If you want to 
buy a good clock. If you want fine Jewelry. If you 
want to buy high-class silverware. If you want your 
watches repaired, call at Owens'. 

Yngwyneb Haul a Lbjgaid Gnleuni.°^^ Sl^^Gymro Wlad y Gan, 



APPENDIX. 



141 



Wilkes-Barre, although the pioneer town of the county, has not made the 
rapid commercial strides that Scranton has, .yet, within the last twenty years 
has improved very much. Fine, large and elegant buildings have taken 
the place of the old tumbling down rookeries, which were located on the 
principal streets; and to complete the picture there are many more of the 
same kind ready to give place to more sightly edifices of modern architec- 
ture. The sooner the better I 

At Wilkes-Barre there are also many industries, among which mention 
may be made of the Wyoming Manufacturing Company, the Dickson Man- 
ufacturing Company, the Hazard Wire Rope Factory, L. V. R. R. Machine 
Shops, the Vulcan Iron Works, an axle works and a lace factory are being 
established (the former now in course of erection); which, together with the 
many collieries and other minor industries, in and around the neighborhood, 
gives employment to thousands of the inhabitants of the city and vicinity 
now numbering about 45,000 souls. 

Pittston, at one time located about the centre of the old county, is also 
desei-ving of special mention as a place of more than than ordinary im- 
portance; the inhabitants numbering about 10,000 souls, are dependant 
principally upon the coal v.'orks, of which there are a large number in the 
im med iate neighborhood . 

Pittston was somewhere 1 when Scranton was nowhere! in fact it is one of 
the oldest places in the~ Wyoming Valley. (See page 11). _ 

West Pittston, otherwise known as the "Garden Village,"' which in 1850 
was simply farming land with the farm houses few and ver^' remote from 
each other, is a borough of about 3,000 inhabitants, and one of the most 
desirable places of residence in the county, if not in the State. Wide 
avenues and sti'eets laid out at right angles. adorned with beautiful maple and 
elm shade trees in front of elegant dwellings and beautiful laA\ns, make 
up a picture in spring and summer that will vir favorably with any town 
similarly located. 

West Pittston is connected with Pittston by two handsome bridges across 
the Susquehanna li^er.aid taking in the suburbs outside the narrow limits of 
both boroughs, there is not the slightest doubt but the combined population 
will exceed 20,000 people. (See page 67). 

Pittston, although as already stated dependant principally on the coal 
works, has, nevertheless, several other industries, among which deserving of 
special notice are the Pittston Stove Company, under able management, a 
large and thriving establishment (see page (5). The Wyoming Valley Knitting 
Mills, at West Pittston, an establishment which has probably no rival in the 
United States; the West Pittston Engine and jiachine Co., which for many 
years was operated somewhat steepingly, is now under a new management 
and is doing an extensive and profitable business (see page 8). There are 
numerous other enterprises on both sides of the river, deserving of mention, 
and which, did space permit, woTild be duly noticed. 

A few reiuai'ks about Plymoutli, also very notable for its growth. Where 
thirty years ago stood a small unimportant village of few houses far apart. 



142 



TRADES AND COMMERCE. 




A 

If 



N 



^^M^:^ 




4POWDERI- 




11. 1). Lafux, President. 

J.VilES E. (r\Y, 

Secretnrv and 'rreasurer. 

Suj)erintendent. 
J'lTTSTOX, PA 



APPENDIX. 



H3 



is now a borough of about 8,000 inhabitants, but, like Pittston, outside of a 
few manufacturing industries, the place is dependant almost wholly on the 
collieries of which, as at Kingston, Edwardsville, Forty Fort, Luzerne Bor- 
ough,Maltby,Wyoming, Port Bowkley.Plaineaville,Port Grifiith,Parsons, Min- 
ers' Mills, Sugar Notch, Ashley and Nanticoke, there are a large number in 
operation. The two last named places are also of more than ordinary business 
importance, having in a few years grown from stragghng villages to 
boroughs of several thousand inhabitants. 

Hazleton, situated at the foot of the county limits is a large borough con- 
taining about seven thousand inhabitants; it owes its prosperity mainly to the 
L. V. R. R. Co., whose extensive coal mines are in the immediate neighbor- 
hood, and with Jeansville, Audenried, Freeland, Jeddo, Stockton, and other 
adjacent places, thickly populated, gives employment to tens of thousands 
of mechanics, miners, etc., in fact from one end of the "old county'' to the 
other, viz. : Hazleton to Carbondale, including the following intermediate 
places, now in the county of Lackawanna: Old Forge, Pleasant Valley, 
Taylorville, Dickson City, Olyphant, Archbald, Jermyn and numerous other 
places, thousands of the inhabitants, of both sexes; are employed in various 
occupations, in works of more or less magnitude. 

It might be interesting to know the titles of some of the early incorpora- 
ted coal companies in the old county, omitting the Delaware and Hudson 
and Pennsylvania companies already mentioned, they comprise Laurel Hill, 
1836; Northampton and Luzerne, 1836; Hazleton, 1836; Sugar Loaf, 18:37; 
Mountain, 1837; Plymouth, 1838; Middlefield, 1840; Diaaiond. 1841; Black 
Creek, 1841; Baltimore, 1841; North Branch, 1843; Phoenix, 1842; and 
Butler, 1853. 

The largest number were incorporated between the years 185.5 and 1865. 
Of the great number of incorporated bodies, comprising coal coni panics, of 
which there are hundreds, and of banks, institutes and associations of 
various kind, whose names are legion, it is simply impossible to give an 
intelligent account, for there have been hundreds of charters granted by the 
legislature for varioHS purposes, some of which only exist now in name, 
and others merged into corporations of a different title, all of which 
^vould not be of much interest to to the general reader. 

Exceptions, however, might be made in some of the educational institutes 
fur instance the Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, a commercial institution, 
the only one of its kind in the county ,was formally opened September 24,1844, 
with the Rev.R.Nelson,A.M.,as principal* see page 61.) Seven years afterwards 
Mr. William Swetland, of Wyoming,contributed $3,000 to erect an additional 
building, which was known as "Swetland Hall,'' and Mr. Ziba Bennett, of 
Wilkes-Barre, contributed $500 towards a library; but unfortunately, in 1853 
those buildings were destroyed by fire, when again Mr. William Swetland 
and others donated about $10,000 to rebuild them. Other additions and im- 
provements have followed from time to time, until a stately pile of bricks 
has been erected second to but few school buildings in the State of 
Pennsylvania. 



[44 TRADES AND COMMERCE. 



A. RYMAN & SONS, 



DEALERS IN 



LUMBER 



Office and Yard near N. J. C. R. R. Depot. 
WILKES-BARRE, PA. 



Saw and Planing Mills at Dallas 
JOHN McDOUGALL, 



Surgeon ^ Dentist. 



PARLORS ON BROAD STREET, 



PITTSTON, - PENN'A. 



